In the King James Bible (KJB), the word "covenant" appears 292 times.
It refers to a solemn, binding agreement or contract—often between God and humanity (or a specific people)—involving promises, responsibilities, conditions (or unconditional promises), signs or tokens, and frequently ratified with blood or an oath. God’s covenants demonstrate His faithfulness even when people fail.[1] (https://kingjamesbibledictionary.com/Dictionary/covenants)
The KJB uses both “covenant” (especially in the Old Testament) and “testament” (in the New Testament, translating the same underlying idea of a binding agreement or will). The books themselves are called the “Old Testament” and “New Testament,” referring to the old and new covenants.
The Major Biblical Covenants
While the exact number and grouping vary by theological perspective, a common framework (widely used in KJB study resources and dispensational teaching) identifies seven covenants. Three are made with mankind in general; four involve Israel specifically.[2] (https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-covenants.html)
Here they are, with key KJB references and excerpts:
1. Edenic Covenant (Genesis 1:26-30; 2:15-17)
Made with Adam before the Fall in the Garden of Eden. It included responsibilities to be fruitful, multiply, subdue the earth, and a prohibition against eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This is sometimes viewed as a “covenant of works.”
2. Adamic Covenant (Genesis 3:14-19)
After the Fall. It includes the curse on the serpent, the ground, and childbirth, plus the first promise of redemption through the “seed” of the woman who would bruise the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15, often seen as a messianic prophecy). Some combine the Edenic and Adamic into one “Adamic” covenant.
3. Noahic Covenant (Genesis 6:18; 9:8-17)
An unconditional covenant with Noah and all living creatures after the Flood. God promised never again to destroy the earth with a flood.
Key KJB text: “And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth... And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.” (Genesis 9:12-13, 16)
Sign: The rainbow.
4. Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 15:18-21; 17:1-14; 22:15-18)
Unconditional promises to Abraham and his descendants: a great nation, the land of Canaan (specific boundaries), countless descendants, and blessing to all families of the earth through his seed (pointing to the Messiah).
Key KJB text (sign of the covenant): “This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.” (Genesis 17:10-11)
Sign: Circumcision.
5. Palestinian (or Land) Covenant (Deuteronomy 29:1–30:10)
A renewal and expansion of land promises made to Israel before entering Canaan. It includes future scattering for disobedience but restoration to the land upon repentance, with God circumcising their hearts.
Key opening KJB text: “These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.” (Deuteronomy 29:1)
6. Mosaic (or Sinaitic) Covenant (Exodus 19–24; Deuteronomy 5, 28–29)
A conditional covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai (Horeb). It includes the Ten Commandments and the full Law. Obedience brought blessing; disobedience brought curses. Ratified with the blood of sacrificed animals.
This governed Israel during the period of the Law.
7. Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:8-16; 1 Chronicles 17:11-14; Psalm 89)
Unconditional promises to David: an eternal dynasty (“house”), throne, and kingdom through his seed.
Key KJB text: “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son...” (2 Samuel 7:12-14)
Fulfilled ultimately in Jesus Christ (Luke 1:32-33).
Is it Now or in the future
8. New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34 — prophesied; instituted in Matthew 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 22:20; explained in Hebrews 8–10, 2 Corinthians 3)
A better covenant, not like the old one that Israel broke. It features internal law written on hearts and minds, personal knowledge of the Lord, and complete forgiveness.
Key KJB texts:
• Prophecy: “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers... But this shall be the covenant that I will make... I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people... for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
• Institution by Christ: “Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:20)
• Contrast in Hebrews: “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises... In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews 8:6, 13)
Sign/ordinance: The Lord’s Supper (communion).
Additional Context
• Some lists combine the Edenic/Adamic or count only five major covenants (Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New). Covenant Theology often emphasizes two overarching covenants (Works and Grace), while dispensational approaches (tying into prior questions about dispensations) treat these as distinct agreements that help mark different periods of God’s dealings.[2] (https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-covenants.html)
• Many covenants are described as “everlasting.”
• God remains faithful to His covenants even when people break their side (especially the unconditional ones).
For study in the KJB, read the full passages in context (especially Genesis 9, 17, 2 Samuel 7, Jeremiah 31, and Hebrews 8–9). These covenants form a major unifying theme across Scripture, showing God’s progressive plan of redemption culminating in Christ and the New Covenant.
If you’d like more detail on any specific covenant, comparisons with dispensations, or additional verses, let me know!