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Where does the word "covenant" come from? It comes from Latin convenire, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "covenant" come from? It comes from Latin convenire, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Covenant’s story begins in Latin: convenire meant “to come together, agree.” 'com-', together, plus 'venire', to come. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as covenant. Present participle of 'covenir', to agree. It reached English by 1300s as covenant. Used for the biblical covenant between God and Israel. Today, covenant means a formal agreement.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient convenire "to come together, agree", 'com-', together, plus 'venire', to come.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval covenant "agreement", present participle of 'covenir', to agree.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s covenant "agreement", used for the biblical covenant between God and Israel.