Covenantal Holiness in Old Testament Law and Practice

The concept of covenantal holiness is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it is closely tied to the idea of God's people being set apart for His purposes. The Hebrew Bible emphasizes the importance of holiness in the context of God's covenant with Israel, as seen in Leviticus 11:44, where God commands the Israelites to "be holy, for I am holy" ^[2].

In the Old Testament, covenants were agreements between two parties that established a relationship based on mutual obligations and promises. These covenants were often confirmed by oaths, witnessed, and written down ^[1]. The covenant between God and Israel was unique in that it was based on God's initiative and involved a commitment to holiness on the part of the Israelites. The terms of this covenant were clearly specified, and its fulfillment was contingent upon Israel's obedience to God's laws and statutes.

The concept of holiness in the Old Testament is closely tied to the idea of separation and consecration. God's holiness is described as incomparable, and it is exhibited in His character, name, words, and works ^[2]. The Israelites were called to imitate God's holiness by living according to His laws and statutes, which included regulations regarding ritual purity, moral behavior, and social justice.

The Dead Sea Scrolls provide insight into the understanding of covenantal holiness in a Jewish community contemporary with the New Testament era. The Community Rule (Serekh ha-Yahad) emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity and holiness within the community, with members being required to adhere to a strict code of conduct and to separate themselves from outsiders ^{[3, 4]}.

The prophets, such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel, also emphasized the importance of covenantal holiness. Jeremiah 31:31-34 is particularly significant, as it speaks of a new covenant that God will establish with His people, one that will be characterized by a deeper level of holiness and a more intimate relationship between God and His people ^[9]. Ezekiel 44:24 highlights the role of the priests in maintaining the holiness of the community by judging according to God's ordinances and keeping His laws and statutes ^[5].

The New Testament writers, such as the author of Hebrews, saw the fulfillment of the Old Testament concept of covenantal holiness in Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews contrasts the old covenant with the new covenant, arguing that the old covenant was not faultless and that it has been superseded by the new covenant in Christ ^[6]. The new covenant is characterized by a more perfect and enduring sacrifice, namely the blood of Christ, which provides forgiveness and cleansing from sin ^{[10, 11]}.

The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, emphasizes the continuity between the Old and New Testaments in terms of the concept of covenantal holiness. Calvin sees the covenant of grace as being administered differently under the Old and New Testaments, but as being essentially the same in terms of its substance and requirements ^{[7, 8]}.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Covenants — Agreements between two parties -- Ge 26:28; Da 11:6. Designed for Establishing friendship. -- 1Sa 18:3. Procuring assistance in war. -- 1Ki 15:18,19. Mutual protection. -- Ge 26:28,29; 31:50-52. Establishing peace. -- Jos 9:15,16. Promoting commerce. -- 1Ki 5:6-11. Selling land. -- Ge 23:14-16. Conditions of Clearly specified. -- 1Sa 11:1,2. Conformed by oath. -- Ge 21:23,31; 26:31. Witnessed. -- Ge 23:17,18; Ru 4:9-11. Written and sealed. -- Ne 9:38; 10:1. God often called to witness -- Ge 31:50,53. When confirmed, unalterable -- Ga 3:15. Made by passing”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness of God, The — Is incomparable -- Ex 15:11; 1Sa 2:2. Exhibited in his Character. -- Ps 22:3; Joh 17:11. Name. -- Isa 57:15; Lu 1:49. Words. -- Ps 60:6; Jer 23:9. Works. -- Ps 145:17. Kingdom. -- Ps 47:8; Mt 13:41; Re 21:27; 1Co 6:9,10. Is pledged for the fulfilment of His promises. -- Ps 89:35. His judgments. -- Am 4:2. Saints are commanded to imitate -- Le 11:44; 1Pe 1:15,16. Saints should praise -- Ps 30:4. Should produce reverential fear -- Re 15:4. Requires holy service -- Jos 24:19; Ps 93:5. Heavenly hosts adore -- Isa 6:3; Re 4:8. Should be magnified --”
Dead Sea Scrolls “Community Rule (Serekh ha-Yahad) (c. 100-75 BCE), section 15: 3. When these becomes members of the Community in Israel according to all these rules, they shall establish the spirit of holiness according to everlasting truth. 4. They shall atone for guilty rebellion and for sins of unfaithfulness that they may obtain lovingkindness for the Land without the flesh of holocausts and the fat of sacrifice. 5. And prayer rightly offered shall be as an acceptable fragrance of righteousness, and perfection of way as a delectable free-will offering. At the time, the men of the Community shall set apart ”
Dead Sea Scrolls “Community Rule (Serekh ha-Yahad) (c. 100-75 BCE), section 13: the stubbornness of his heart, he shall return no more to the Council of the Community. Moreover, if any member 23. of the Community has shared with 24. him his food or property which . . . of the Congregation, his sentence shall be the same; he shall be ex[pelled]. COL.VIII 1. In the Council of the Community there shall be twelve men and three Priests, perfectly versed in all that is revealed of 2. the Law, whose works shall be truth, righteousness, justice, loving kindness and humility. They shall 3. preserve the faith in the Land”
Ezekiel “In a controversy they shall stand to judge; according to my ordinances shall they judge it: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all my appointed feasts; and they shall make my Sabbaths holy. -- Ezekiel 44:24”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 8:7: 8:7-13 The author quotes Jer 31:31-34, an Old Testament prophecy concerning the new covenant that includes a number of striking promises. Establishing the superiority of the new covenant lays a foundation for the argument in Heb 9:1–10:18 that the Son’s offering under the new covenant was superior to the offerings of the old covenant. 8:7 The first covenant, made at Sinai, was not faultless. It was not the end of God’s plan, because it didn’t solve human weaknesses (see 7:11-28; 8:9).”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 53.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1 1:27 1:27 3:17 3:17 3:18 4:11 4:13 4:14 6:5 7:11 8:1 10:4 10:11 11:29 11:31 11:31 12:1 12:1 12:17 14:6 14:16 15:1 17:7 17:7 19:24 19:37 20:2 20:8 20:14 21:2 21:5 25:1 25:14 25:14 27:38 27:38 32:3 32:10 32:12 36:8 36:9 Exodus 3:8 7:13 8:15 13:3 13:5 13:8 13:14 13:17 14:14 14:21 14:22 15:10 17 18:21 19:5 19:6 19:6 19:6 19:6 20:1 20:2 20:24 20:25 23:32 27:1 29:45 33:3 34:6 34:6 34:15 34:30 Leviticus 19:9 19:10 26:3-13 26:8 26:12 26:12 26:16 Numbers 3:1-4:49 10:36 12:6 13:22 23:19 24:13 30:3 32:34 Deutero”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 28.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1-6 1:1-31 1:2 1:28 1:29-30 2:1 2:1-25 2:15 2:19 3:1 3:1-24 3:7 3:16 4:1 4:1-26 4:7 5:1 5:1-32 6:1 6:1-22 6:11-16 7:1-24 7:11 8:1-22 9:1 9:1 9:1-29 9:2 9:24 10 10:1 10:1 10:1-32 10:21 11:1 11:1 11:1-32 11:28 12:1 12:1 12:1 12:1-20 12:4 12:4 12:6 13:1 13:1-20 14:1-24 15:1-21 15:7 16:1-16 16:2 16:8 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1-27 18:1 18:1 18:1-33 18:19 19:1-38 20:1 20:1 20:1-18 21:1-34 21:15 22:1-24 22:18 23:1-20 24:31 25:1 25:13-16 35:7 48:1 Exodus 6:3 12:40 Leviticus 7:18 17:4 18:25 Numbers 6:2”
Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 31:31: 31:31 The day of the new covenant was realized when Jesus Christ accomplished his redemptive mission on earth (see Heb 8:8-12).”
Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 9 (introduction): INFERIORITY OF THE OLD TO THE NEW COVENANT IN THE MEANS OF ACCESS TO GOD: THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND GOATS OF NO REAL AVAIL: THE BLOOD OF CHRIST ALL-SUFFICIENT TO PURGE AWAY SIN, WHENCE FLOWS OUR HOPE OF HIS APPEARING AGAIN FOR OUR PERFECT SALVATION. (Heb. 9:1-28) Then verily--Greek, "Accordingly then." Resuming the subject from Heb 8:5. In accordance with the command given to Moses, "the first covenant had," &c. had--not "has," for as a covenant it no longer existed, though its rites were observed till the destruction of Jerusalem. ordin”
Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 9:15: for this cause--Because of the all-cleansing power of His blood, this fits Him to be Mediator (Heb 8:6, ensuring to both parties, God and us, the ratification) of the new covenant, which secures both forgiveness for the sins not covered by the former imperfect covenant or testament, and also an eternal inheritance to the called. by means of death--rather, as Greek, "death having taken place." At the moment that His death took place, the necessary effect is, "the called receive the (fulfilment of the) promise" (so Luk 24:49 uses "promise"; Heb 6:15; ”

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