What are…
alliance covenants in the Bible
These are treaties between nations, or between individuals, for their mutual advantage.
Abraham formed an alliance with some of the Canaanite princes (Genesis 14:13), also with Abimelech (21:22-32).
When the Israelites entered Canaan they were forbidden to enter into alliances with the inhabitants of the country (Leviticus 18:3-4; 20:22-23). Joshua and the elders of Israel entered into an alliance with the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:3-27).
Solomon formed a league with Hiram (1 Kings 5:12). This “brotherly covenant” is referred to 250 years afterwards (Amos 1:9). He also appears to have entered into an alliance with Pharaoh (1 Kings 10:28-29).
In the subsequent history of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel various alliances were formed between them and also with neighboring nations at different times.
Covenants of salt
In patriarchal times, a covenant of alliance was sealed by a blood sacrifice. The animal sacrificed was cut in two (except in the case of birds), and between these two parts the persons contracting the alliance passed (Genesis 15:10).
There are frequent allusions to this practice (Jeremiah 34:18). Such alliances were called “covenants of salt” (Numbers 18:19; 2 Chronicles 13:5), salt being the symbol of perpetuity.
A pillar was set up as a memorial of the alliance between Laban and Jacob (Genesis 31:52).
Throughout their history, the Jews attached great importance to keeping these covenants. Divine wrath fell upon violators (Joshua 9:18; 2 Samuel 21:1-2; Ezek. 17:16).
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