Covenant Essay
est. 1000 words
A paper in three parts:
Last update:13 May 2010

  1. Compare the idea(s) of the covenant expressed in the Hebrew Bible with the other primary ANE understandings of covenant.
    1. What are the three types of covenant dominant in the ANE?
    2. What are the similarities and differences betweeen these ANE covenant forms and those in the HB? With exactness and precision, compare at least one HB example for each of the ANE forms.
  2. Discuss the idea of "covenant" as presented in the HB, especially in the Torah.
    1. How is the idea used by each of the four Pentateuchal sources? (You may also include the DH, if you wish.)
    2. Provide four or more specific examples to illustrate the similarities and differences in the terminology and views of each of the sources. (If you need some ideas of where to begin, see the covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon, Jeroboam, and Josiah.)
    3. Show how the idea of the covenant develops from the earliest to the latest period.
    4. How would you express the culminating idea of the covenant in the HB?
  3. Finally, explore what you see as the implications of the "covenant" idea as presented in the Hebrew Bible for the development of your own personal ethic. (NB: This does not concern what other people might do, since you cannot possibly know that.) Be sure to refer back to your exposition in Part II, especially the culmination of the historical development you outlined there.
    1. What fundamental ethical stance would/will you take based on your understanding of the covenant?
    2. How will this covenant ethic enable you to grow into the kind of person you want to become?
    3. How will your understanding of the covenant shape the way you treat yourself, other people, the earth/ecosphere, and God? Give at least one example for each category.
Remember:
  1. Parts one and two will require outside research, not just use of class notes and the text book. As always, this means I should be able to see that you used a minimum of six print resources. Websites typically are not permitted for research essays. Any references to web materials should include a footnote detailing why this website "counts" as a scholarly resource. Regardless, no website may be substituted for one of the mandatory six print resources; it must serve as an additional resource beyond that minimum expectation. See the "Excellence in Writing" website for details.
  2. Given that this is a research paper, there need to be footnotes. Follow the humanities citation format from the Chicago Manual of Style. If you have done so, a "works cited" page is not necessary.
  3. When you outline a covenant form, show precisely how the features you discuss actually fit the form you outlined.
  4. Give evidence for each of the claims you make. Typically, this will constitute a reference to one or more exact Biblical verses; at other times, it will comprise a citation of one or more of your secondary sources.
  5. Finally, remember not only to use your spell checker but also to proofread and edit your work. Your first draft ought NOT be the final version of your paper. As always, this essay will be graded both on content and on the quality and clarity of expression— including proper format, spelling, punctuation, etc. Features such as exclusive language, dangling prepositions, problematic diction, misuse of adjectives or adverbs, and subject/verb disagreement all will reduce your grade.