Easton's Bible Dictionary A contract or agreement between two
parties. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word berith is always
thus translated. Berith is derived from a root which means "to
cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to the
cutting or dividing of animals into two parts, and the
contracting parties passing between them, in making a covenant
(Genesis 15; Jeremiah 34:18, 19). The corresponding word in the
New Testament Greek is diatheke, which is, however, rendered
"testament" generally in the Authorized Version. It ought to be
rendered, just as the word berith of the Old Testament,
"covenant." This word is used (1) of a covenant or compact
between man and man (Genesis 21:32), or between tribes or
nations (1 Samuel 11:1; Joshua 9:6, 15). In entering into a
convenant, Jehovah was solemnly called on to witness the
transaction (Genesis 31:50), and hence it was called a "covenant
of the Lord" (1 Samuel 20:8). The marriage compact is called
"the covenant of God" (Proverbs 2:17), because t