The concept of "covenant" is fundamental to an understanding of the relationship between YHWH and the Hebrew people. It appears throughout the Hebrew Bible and the intent in this paper is to briefly trace its appearance and consider its meaning to the community. According to Bernhard Anderson (1957), two of the most important covenantal arrangements belong to the priestly, or P, tradition in the Biblical narrative. That tradition describes a divine plan that begins with the creation and continues with the covenant with Noah and then with Abraham. The final dispensation is the revelation at Sinai, with the covenant reinforced through that revelation and the covenantal agreement with Moses.
The covenant with Noah is a strong assertion of YHWH's intentions. In that passage (Genesis 9:8 17), there is contained the promise that the earth will never again be destroyed by flood, and that the rainbow will serve as a reminder of this to all people and creatures. This is the basis of ongoing relationship.
This is further reinforced by the covenantal arrangement in Genesis 17, in whi
6 
)
= 777
= 3 (250 words per page)
