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Answer
The term “Covenant Code” is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible, but it is sometimes used to describe the collection of regulations in the Books of Moses that were intended to be followed indefinitely. For instance, Numbers 15:15 mentions “a lasting ordinance for the generations to come.” The term “lasting” is translated from the Hebrew word olam, which means “forever” or “for a long time.” Other translations render it as “a statute forever” (ESV), “an ordinance forever” (NKJV), or “a permanent law” (NLT). Essentially, a Covenant Code consisted of continuous directives within the Mosaic Law for Israel.
The initial reference to a law within the “Covenant Code” can be found in Exodus 12:14: “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.” This instruction pertains to the first Passover, which would evolve into an annual tradition observed thereafter. Rather than being a one-time occurrence, the Passover was meant to be part of the Covenant Code.
Apart from the Passover, the perpetual burning of lamps in the tabernacle was also considered part of the Covenant Code, as stated in Exodus 27:21. Although the lamps in the tabernacle were not eternal, since the tabernacle was eventually replaced by Solomon’s temple and later destroyed, the concept of a “Covenant Code” implied that the law was continuous rather than temporary.
The establishment of the Levitical priesthood of Aaron and his descendants is identified as a Covenant Code in Exodus 29:9, as well as the directive for them to wash before entering the tent of meeting in (Exodus 30:20-22). In Leviticus, Co
Venant Codes include abstaining from eating fat or blood «It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.», (Leviticus 3:17), priests refraining from alcohol «Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: », (Leviticus 10:9), the annual Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), offerings brought only to the priests at the tabernacle (Leviticus 17:1-7), the yearly Jewish celebrations (Leviticus 23), and the presentation of lamps, olive oil, and bread before the Lord in the tabernacle (Leviticus 24:1-9).
In Numbers, additional Covenant Codes are mentioned: the sounding of trumpets when the community was to move (Numbers 10:1-10), ordinances «One ordinance shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourneth with you, an ordinance for ever in your generations: as ye are, so shall the stranger be before the LORD. », (Numbers 15:15), the appointment of Levites to supervise the work of the tabernacle (Numbers 18), and regulations concerning ritual purification (Numbers 19).
Apart from these writings, only two passages refer to a “Covenant Code.” In 2 Chronicles 2:4, a Covenant Code is established regarding relocating the tabernacle worship to the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Then, in Ezekiel 46:14, a Covenant Code is provided concerning a future temple foretold by the prophet Ezekiel (often referred to as the millennial temple).
Given these references,
In biblical passages, the concept of a Covenant Code signifies a continuous law, although it was not always meant to be everlasting. Moreover, the Covenant Codes found in the Bible are connected to the tabernacle, temple, and religious rituals of the Jewish community. The initial and possibly most famous of these rituals was the Passover, the Covenant Code that symbolized a fresh start for the Jewish nation. All these Covenant Codes were decreed by God to His people as methods to adhere to and show respect for Him.
