What is the Adamic covenant?

Answer

The Adamic Covenant can be understood in two parts: the Edenic Covenant (innocence) and the Adamic Covenant (grace). The Edenic Covenant is described in Genesis 1:26-30; 2:16-17. The specifics of this covenant include the following:

Humanity (male and female) created in God’s image.

Humanity’s authority (rule) over the animal kingdom.

Divine command for humanity to multiply and populate the entire Earth.

Humanity to be vegetarian, with the allowance of eating meat established in the Noahic covenant: Genesis 9:3.

Consuming the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was prohibited (with death as the specified consequence).

The Adamic Covenant is outlined in Genesis 3:16-19. Due to Adam’s transgression, the following curses were pronounced:

Hostility between Satan and Eve and her offspring.

Painful childbirth for women.

Conflict in marriage.

The land was cursed.

Introduction of thorns and thistles.

Survival would be a challenge.

Death was introduced.

Death would be the inevitable destiny of all living beings.

Despite these severe and unavoidable curses, a remarkable promise of grace was also part of the Adamic Covenant. Genesis 3:15 is often known as the “Proto-Gospel” or “First Gospel.” Addressing Satan, God declares, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, / And between your seed and her seed; / He shall bruise you on the head, / And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

Here, God assures that someone born of a woman would be injured while defeating Satan. The “seed” of the woman who would crush the Serpent’s head is none other than Jesus Christ, as seen in Galatians 4:4 and 1 John 3:8. Even amidst the curse, God’s merciful provision of salvation shines brightly.