A treaty, in biblical terms, refers to a formal agreement or covenant between two or more parties, often nations or tribes, to ensure peace, cooperation, or mutual benefit. The concept of treaties is prevalent throughout the Bible, reflecting the political and social dynamics of the ancient Near East. These agreements were often sealed with oaths, sacrifices, or symbolic acts to underscore their binding nature.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, treaties were common among the nations surrounding Israel. The Hebrew word often associated with treaties is "berith," which is also translated as "covenant." One of the earliest examples of a treaty is found in Genesis 21:27, where Abraham and Abimelech, the king of Gerar, make a covenant to settle a dispute over a well: "So Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant."

Another significant treaty is the one between the Israelites and the Gibeonites in Joshua 9. The Gibeonites, fearing the advancing Israelites, resorted to deception to secure a treaty of peace. Despite the deceit, the Israelites honored the treaty due to the oath they had sworn before the LORD, illustrating the sacredness and binding nature of such agreements.

The treaty between Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre, is another notable example. In 1 Kings 5:12, it is recorded: "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." This treaty facilitated the construction of the Temple, showcasing how treaties could lead to significant collaborative projects.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not focus extensively on political treaties, the concept of covenant remains central, particularly in the context of God's relationship with humanity. The New Covenant, established through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is seen as a divine treaty offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe. Hebrews 9:15 states, "Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant."

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, treaties in the Bible often reflect the broader theme of covenant, which is foundational to understanding God's interactions with humanity. The divine covenants with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, and ultimately the New Covenant through Christ, underscore God's commitment to His people and His faithfulness to His promises.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible presents treaties as solemn commitments that should be honored, even when made under less-than-ideal circumstances. The account of the Gibeonites serves as a moral lesson on the importance of keeping one's word, as the Israelites upheld their treaty despite the Gibeonites' deception. This reflects the biblical principle that oaths and promises, especially those made before God, carry significant weight and should not be taken lightly.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, treaties were often accompanied by rituals and ceremonies, including sacrifices and the exchange of gifts, to formalize the agreement. These practices underscored the seriousness of the commitment and the expectation of divine witness and enforcement. The biblical narrative reflects these cultural norms, providing insight into the historical context of the biblical world.

In summary, treaties in the Bible are multifaceted, serving as instruments of peace, cooperation, and divine covenant. They highlight the importance of faithfulness, integrity, and the sacred nature of promises made before God.1. (n.) The act of treating for the adjustment of differences, as for forming an agreement; negotiation.

2. (n.) An agreement so made; specifically, an agreement, league, or contract between two or more nations or sovereigns, formally signed by commissioners properly authorized, and solemnly ratified by the several sovereigns, or the supreme power of each state; an agreement between two or more independent states; as, a treaty of peace; a treaty of alliance.

3. (n.) A proposal tending to an agreement.

4. (n.) A treatise; a tract.

TREATY

tre'-ti (berith, karath berith, "make a covenant," "league," "treaty"): Although the Israelites were forbidden to make treaties, or enter into covenant, with the Canaanites because of the risk thereby involved of religious apostasy and moral contamination (Exodus 23:32; Exodus 34:12 Deuteronomy 7:2 Judges 2:2), they were so situated in the midst of the nations that treaty relations of some sort with their neighbors were from time to time inevitable. After the rise of the monarchy, treaties were common. David and Solomon had friendly relations with Hiram, king of Tyre (1 Kings 5:15); Asa, to rid himself of the hostile approaches of Baasha, king of Israel, entered into a league with Ben-hadad of Syria, which the prophet Hanani denounced (2 Chronicles 16:1); Ahab entered into a similar compact with Ben-hadad's son and successor, and set him at liberty when he was his prisoner of war (1 Kings 20:34); and at a later time Jehoshaphat joined Ahab in an expedition against Ben-hadad II to Ramoth-gilead in which Ahab lost his life (1 Kings 22). Sometimes with Syria and neighboring states against the terrible Assyrian power, and sometimes with Egypt against Assyria or Babylon, the kings of Israel and Judah entered into treaty to resist their advances and to preserve their own independence (2 Kings 17:4 Hosea 7:11 Isaiah 30:1). Against such alliances the prophets raised their testimony (Isaiah 31:1 Jeremiah 27:3).

See also WAR, 9; ROME, V, 1.

T. Nicol

786. aspondos -- without libation, ie without truce, hence ...
... From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of spendo; literally, without libation
(which usually accompanied a treaty), ie (by implication) truceless ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/786.htm - 7k1285. berith -- a covenant
... Origin from an unused word Definition a covenant NASB Word Usage allied (1), allies*
(1), covenant (275), covenants (1), El-berith* (1), league (2), treaty (4 ...
/hebrew/1285.htm - 6k

Article vi. , Clause 2, of the Treaty of Purchase, Transferring ...
... LIFE OF WILLIAM CAREY, DD III."ARTICLE VI., CLAUSE 2, OF THE TREATY OF PURCHASE,
TRANSFERRING SERAMPORE TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/iii article vi clause 2 of.htm

Concerning Mania, the Phylarch of the Saracens. When the Treaty ...
... Saracens. When the Treaty with the Romans was dissolved, Moses, their Bishop,
who had been ordained by the Christians, renewed it. ...
/.../chapter xxxviii concerning mania the phylarch.htm

Of the Destruction of the Saguntines, who Received no Help from ...
... For when Hannibal had broken treaty with the Romans, he sought occasion for provoking
them to war, and accordingly made a fierce assault upon Saguntum. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 20 of the destruction of.htm

The Life of Sir Archibald Johnston, Lord Warriston.
... Upon their approach, the English began to faint, whereupon the king and the English
nobility desired a treaty, which was easily granted by the Scots, who ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of sir archibald.htm

Carey's Christian University for the People of India
... The Danish charter"The British treaty"Growth of native Christian community"Lord
Minto's concession of self-governing privileges"Madras Decennial ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xv careys christian university.htm

The Life of John Campbel Earl of Loudon.
... But this treaty was short-lived and ill observed, for the king irritated by the
bishops, soon after burnt the pacification by the hands of the hangman ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of john campbel.htm

'This Cup'
... emblem of His shed blood. I. First, then, observe that it speaks to us of
a divine treaty or covenant. Ancient Israel had lived for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/this cup.htm

The Avenging of the Saviour.
... of the earth. Now Nathan was sent from Jud??a to the Emperor Tiberius, to
carry their treaty to the city of Rome. And Tiberius was ...
/.../unknown/the avenging of the saviour/the avenging of the saviour.htm

Guelf and Ghibelline. (ii)
... reached Palestine the Templars and Hospitallers held aloof, while the Mendicant
Orders preached against him; and when, in accordance with his treaty with the ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xv guelf and ghibelline.htm

Periods of Church History.
... and almost none for the Greek; and while the edict of Nantes forms a resting-place
in the history of French Protestantism, and the treaty of Westphalia in that ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 4 periods of church.htm

Treaty (25 Occurrences)
... and solemnly ratified by the several sovereigns, or the supreme power of each state;
an agreement between two or more independent states; as, a treaty of peace ...
/t/treaty.htm - 16k

Benhadad (24 Occurrences)
... 3. Alliance with Ahab: A treaty was agreed upon between the two monarchs under which
Ahab's people were to have bazaars of their own in Damascus, as it would ...
/b/benhadad.htm - 28k

Alliance (12 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A treaty between nations, or between individuals,
for their mutual advantage. Abraham formed an alliance ...
/a/alliance.htm - 21k

Numenius
... of Hazor (Galilee) over the princes of Demetrius (1 Maccabees 12:1;) about 144 BC
Their mission was to confirm and renew the friendship and treaty which had ...
/n/numenius.htm - 7k

Trucebkeaker
... King James Version rendering in 2 Timothy 3:3 of aspondos, literally, "without a
libation." As a libation always accompanied the making of a treaty in Greek ...
/t/trucebkeaker.htm - 6k

Ba'asha (26 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Kings 15:19 "There is a treaty between me and you, between my father
and your father. Behold, I have sent to you a present of silver and gold. ...
/b/ba'asha.htm - 13k

Baasha (26 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). 1 Kings 15:19 "There is a treaty between
me and you, between my father and your father. Behold ...
/b/baasha.htm - 16k

Hittites (39 Occurrences)
... Amenophis III repelled them in Phoenicia, and Subbiliuliuma descended on Kinza,
having made a treaty with Egypt, and captured Edugamma and his father Suttatarra ...
/h/hittites.htm - 55k

Treats (7 Occurrences)

/t/treats.htm - 8k

Kadesh (30 Occurrences)
... hostages from the Assyrians, and here too Rameses II defeated Hatesar, king of the
Hittites (circa 1320 BC), and concluded with him a treaty, which was ...
/k/kadesh.htm - 21k

Why do Daniel and Revelation give varying counts of 1,260, 1,290, and 1,335 days for the tribulation? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Gibeonites? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Asa in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Treaty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus