Introduction
God’s dealings with mankind are divided into distinct dispensations or stewardships. Within these dispensations, certain covenants serve as foundational markers of God’s relationship with humanity. The very first of these is the Edenic Covenant, established with Adam in the Garden of Eden prior to the Fall.
This covenant was given while man was still in his state of innocence, and it outlined humanity’s responsibilities under God’s direct rule. The Edenic Covenant provides the framework for understanding human freedom, responsibility, and the tragic introduction of sin into the world.
The Text of the Edenic Covenant
The Edenic Covenant is found primarily in Genesis 1:28–30 and Genesis 2:15–17. These passages summarize God’s command to Adam and Eve in their state of innocence:
Genesis 1:28–30 (KJV), “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.“
Genesis 2:15–17 (KJV), “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.“
The Key Elements of the Edenic Covenant
Dispensational theology emphasizes that this covenant was literal, binding, and conditional. It consisted of several provisions:
1. Be fruitful and multiply
God’s first command was reproductive: Adam and Eve were to fill the earth with their descendants. This reflects God’s plan for humanity to spread across the world, exercising stewardship over His creation (Gen. 1:28).
2. Subdue the earth and exercise dominion
Man was to rule over creation as God’s vice-regent. This meant responsible governance of the animal kingdom and the earth itself. Dominion did not imply abuse but rather stewardship under God’s authority.
3. Dietary instructions
Man’s diet was vegetarian at this stage, herbs and fruits were given for food (Gen. 1:29). The eating of animal flesh was not permitted until after the Flood under the Noahic Covenant (Gen. 9:3).
4. Care for the Garden
Adam was charged “to dress it and to keep it” (Gen. 2:15). This responsibility reflects mankind’s obligation to work, maintain, and guard God’s creation. Work, in this sense, was not a curse but a privilege.
5. The prohibition of the Tree of Knowledge
The single negative command in the Edenic Covenant was clear: Adam was forbidden to eat of “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Gen. 2:17). This command was a test of obedience and loyalty to God. The penalty for disobedience was death, spiritual separation from God immediately and physical death eventually.
The Dispensation of Innocence
In Dispensational theology, the Edenic Covenant governed the first dispensation, called the Dispensation of Innocence. During this period, Adam and Eve were morally innocent, having no knowledge of sin. Their continued blessing depended upon their obedience to God’s revealed will.
Man’s responsibility was straightforward: obey God’s commands. The test was centered upon one tree. Tragically, Adam and Eve failed this test when Eve was deceived by the serpent and Adam willfully partook of the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:6).
Romans 5:12 (KJV), “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
The Failure of Man Under the Edenic Covenant
Adam and Eve’s disobedience resulted in the breaking of the Edenic Covenant and the immediate entrance of sin into the human race. The results were catastrophic:
- Spiritual death (separation from God).
- Physical death (the process of mortality began).
- The curse upon creation (Gen. 3:17–19).
- The loss of innocence (Gen. 3:7).
- Expulsion from Eden (Gen. 3:24).
The covenant’s condition was broken, and mankind was no longer under innocence but under guilt. This failure ushered in the next covenant and dispensation, the Adamic Covenant, which deals with man in a fallen state.
The Significance of the Edenic Covenant
The Edenic Covenant is significant for several reasons:
- It reveals God’s original intention for mankind.
Man was created to rule the earth in perfect fellowship with God, enjoying His blessings under obedience. - It establishes the principle of testing.
Each dispensation in Scripture places man under a specific test of obedience to God’s revelation. In Eden, the test was centered on a single tree. - It demonstrates man’s inability apart from God’s grace.
Even in the perfect environment of Eden, without sin nature, man failed. This sets the stage for understanding the need of redemption through Christ. - It anticipates restoration in Christ.
The last Adam, Jesus Christ, came to undo what the first Adam brought upon humanity (1 Cor. 15:22, 45). Whereas Adam disobeyed in a garden, Christ obeyed in a garden (Luke 22:42), securing eternal redemption.
Chart Summary of the Edenic Covenant
| Category | Details | Key Scriptures (KJV) |
| Covenant Name | The Edenic Covenant | Genesis 1:28–30; 2:15–17 |
| Dispensation | Innocence | |
| Covenant Type | Conditional – blessings depended on obedience | |
| Recipients | Adam and Eve (and mankind in them) | |
| Provisions | 1. Be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:28) 2. Subdue the earth (Gen. 1:28) 3. Dominion over animals (Gen. 1:28) 4. Vegetarian diet—plants and fruit only (Gen. 1:29–30) 5. Dress and keep the Garden (Gen. 2:15) 6. Do not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Gen. 2:17) | |
| Test | Obedience regarding the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil | Genesis 2:16–17 |
| Penalty for Disobedience | Death (spiritual immediately; physical eventually) | Genesis 2:17 |
| Failure | Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate the forbidden fruit | Genesis 3:6 |
| Judgment | Spiritual and physical death; curse upon creation; expulsion from Eden | Genesis 3:16–24 |
| Subsequent Covenant | Adamic Covenant (God’s covenant with fallen man) | Genesis 3:14–19 |
| Christological Fulfillment | Christ, the Last Adam, restores what the first Adam lost. Eternal paradise regained. | Romans 5:12–19; 1 Cor. 15:22, 45; Rev. 22:1–3 |
Conclusion
The Edenic Covenant stands as God’s first covenant with mankind, establishing man’s responsibilities in the Garden of Eden under the Dispensation of Innocence. Though man failed, this covenant sets the stage for the unfolding drama of redemption revealed in Scripture.
The failure of the Edenic Covenant does not diminish its importance; rather, it magnifies the necessity of God’s grace through the progressive covenants and dispensations. In Christ, the Seed promised from the very beginning (Gen. 3:15) the curse will ultimately be reversed, and the paradise lost in Genesis will be restored in Revelation.
Revelation 22:1–3 (KJV), “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.”
Thus, from Eden to eternity, God’s plan of redemption unfolds. The Edenic Covenant shows us where man began, why he fell, and how desperately he needs the Redeemer Jesus Christ, the Last Adam.
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