A "pact" in biblical terms often refers to a formal agreement or covenant between two parties. In the context of the Bible, pacts are significant as they frequently denote agreements between God and humanity, or between individuals and nations. These pacts are foundational to understanding the narrative and theological structure of the Scriptures.

Divine Pacts

1. The Noahic Covenant: After the flood, God established a covenant with Noah and his descendants, promising never to destroy the earth with a flood again. This pact is symbolized by the rainbow. Genesis 9:11 states, "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth."

2. The Abrahamic Covenant: God's pact with Abraham is a cornerstone of biblical theology, promising land, descendants, and blessing. Genesis 17:7 records, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you."

3. The Mosaic Covenant: This pact was made at Mount Sinai, where God gave the Law to Moses and the Israelites. It established the terms of the relationship between God and His chosen people. Exodus 19:5-6 says, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

4. The Davidic Covenant: God's promise to David ensured that his lineage would endure forever, culminating in the Messiah. 2 Samuel 7:16 declares, "Your house and kingdom will endure forever before Me, and your throne will be established forever."

5. The New Covenant: Prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, this covenant offers redemption and eternal life. Jeremiah 31:31-33 foretells, "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah... I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people."

Human Pacts

1. Jacob and Laban: In Genesis 31, Jacob and Laban make a pact to ensure peace between them. Genesis 31:44 states, "Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us."

2. David and Jonathan: The friendship between David and Jonathan is marked by a covenant of loyalty and protection. 1 Samuel 18:3 notes, "Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself."

3. Solomon and Hiram: King Solomon made a pact with Hiram, king of Tyre, for materials and labor to build the temple. 1 Kings 5:12 records, "So the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty."

Theological Significance

Pacts in the Bible are not merely legal agreements but are deeply relational and spiritual. They often involve commitments that reflect God's faithfulness and human responsibility. The divine covenants reveal God's plan for redemption and His desire for a relationship with humanity. They underscore themes of promise, faithfulness, and divine sovereignty, shaping the biblical narrative and the faith of believers.(n.) An agreement; a league; a compact; a covenant.2380. chazuth -- vision, conspicuousness
... Word Origin from chazah Definition vision, conspicuousness NASB Word Usage conspicuous
(2), pact (1), vision (2). agreement, notable one, vision. ...
/hebrew/2380.htm - 6k

2374. chozeh -- a seer
... Word Origin active participle of chazah Definition a seer NASB Word Usage
pact (1), prophets (1), seer (12), seers (3). agreement ...
/hebrew/2374.htm - 6k

Of Saint Francis
... no more in any thing; and do ye promise him to give him every day whate'er he needs:
and I am made his surety unto you that he will keep this pact of peace ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/of saint francis.htm

Book ix. On Jerusalem and Her Enemies
... [Col.2:14]. The agreement is a compact of divine grace with man; in the psalm: I
did not see them obeying the pact. [Ps.77(78):57(56) (unknown variant)]. ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/book ix on jerusalem and.htm

Second Tractate. On virtue.
... which belongs to the reasoning faculty; the Fortitude which conducts the emotional
and passionate nature; the Sophrosyne which consists in a certain pact, in a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/plotinus/the six enneads/second tractate on virtue.htm

Hebrew Craft
... "They must have a pact among themselves and a leader, first," Kenkenes objected.
"Have I not said they are organized? And their leader is found. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xi hebrew craft.htm

What the Stable Creation Teaches
... desires. These are the blessings which He binds Himself to bestow. And of this
transcendent pact, the seal and guarantee is worthy. God ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/what the stable creation teaches.htm

The Lord's Supper Instituted.
... It was the practice of Eastern peoples to use blood in making any pact or covenant
(Exodus 24:6-8). Christ represents himself as the victim from whence the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxx the lords supper instituted.htm

How Like Kingdoms Without Justice are to Robberies.
... The band itself is made up of men; it is ruled by the authority of a prince, it
is knit together by the pact of the confederacy; the booty is divided by the ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 4 how like kingdoms without.htm

The King.
... A solemn pact was made, and David was anointed in Hebron, a king by Divine right,
but also a constitutional monarch chosen by popular election, and limited in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm

The Debt of Israel
... "Nay? No more then. I have spoken the last with thee concerning my love. And thus
I seal the pact.". He drew her, unresisting, to him, and kissed her forehead. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter x the debt of.htm

Chapter xxxi
... gods. So the polytheist Laban speaks. The more gods to help bind the pact,
the better it is sealed, thinks Laban. Without directly ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

Pact (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An agreement; a league; a compact; a covenant.
Multi-Version Concordance Pact (2 Occurrences). Isaiah ...
/p/pact.htm - 7k

Pad (1 Occurrence)

/p/pad.htm - 8k

Packed (3 Occurrences)

/p/packed.htm - 7k

Athens (5 Occurrences)
... An oligarchical government was set up with Critias and Theramenes at the head. War
broke out again but peace was restored by the pact of Antalcidas (387 BC). ...
/a/athens.htm - 15k

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