Convenant at Sinai. (Examines the similarities that exist between the Convenant and historical treaties of biblical times, specifically the Hittite Treaties.)

The term "covenant" which originally meant "shackle" or "chain" derived from the Hebrew word, berit. It later came to be known as any form of binding agreement. There are a number of examples of covenants in the Bible (1). Abraham had made a covenant alliance with the Canaanites (Gn 14:13). Isaac made a covenant with Abimelech concerning water rights (Gn 26:26ff), and Jacob had once made a covenant with Laban (Gn 31:44ff), to mention just a few (2). …

…Theology, (London, Burns & Oates, 1981) 308. 4. Brown, R., Fitzmyer, J., Murphy, R., The Jerome Biblical Commentary, (Dublin, Geoffrey Chapman Ltd, 1968) 56. 5. McKenzie, J., Ibid. 154. 6. Barton, J., Muddiman, J., The Oxford Biblical Commentary, (New York, Oxford University Press, 2001) 68. 7. Boadt, L., Ibid. 178. 8. Boadt, L., Ibid. 179. 9. Pritchard, J., Ancient Near Eastern Texts, (Egyptian and Hittite Treaties) 203. 10. Boadt, L., Ibid. 170. 11 Brown, R., Ibid. 58. 12. Orchard, B., Sutcliffe, E. Fuller, R., Russell, R. A Catholic Commentary on the Holy Scripture (London, Thomas Nelson .