The Abrahamic Covenant: A Divine Promise or a Plan for World Conquest?

During the time of the Abrahamic Covenant, the world as known to the ancient Hebrews was limited to the regions surrounding the Eastern Mediterranean, the Fertile Crescent, and parts of North Africa.

AI assisted image and content depicting rabbinic drafting the Abrahamic Covenant.
AI assisted image and content depicting rabbinic men drafting the Abrahamic Covenant.

The Abrahamic Covenant, as detailed in the Hebrew Bible, is traditionally understood as God's promise to Abraham, offering him and his descendants vast tracts of land and the status of being a "great nation." However, if we step outside of the religious interpretation and consider the geopolitical context of the time, the covenant can be seen as an ambitious plan for world domination—at least of the known world. The ancient Hebrews, unaware of the full extent of the earth's geography, saw the land promised by God as encompassing all the known territories. This article explores the notion that the Abrahamic Covenant, when viewed through a purely historical and strategic lens, represents a blueprint for Jewish conquest of the known world, with the New Testament's incorporation of Christians into this covenant serving as an alliance to further these ambitions.

The Known World at the Time of the Abrahamic Covenant

During the time of the Abrahamic Covenant, the world as known to the ancient Hebrews was limited to the regions surrounding the Eastern Mediterranean, the Fertile Crescent, and parts of North Africa. The concept of the "world" in biblical times was vastly different from our modern understanding. The ancient Hebrews did not know of the Americas, Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia, or even large parts of Europe. Their worldview was centered around the territories that now comprise modern-day Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and parts of Turkey and Iran.

The Lands Promised in the Abrahamic Covenant

According to Genesis 15:18-21, God promised Abraham and his descendants the land "from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates." This territory included lands occupied by various peoples, such as the Kenites, Hittites, and Canaanites, covering much of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. If we map these regions onto modern geography, the covenant's promised land includes:

  • Egypt: Possibly the Sinai Peninsula and extending into parts of modern Egypt.
  • Israel and Palestine: The heart of the covenant, including Jerusalem and surrounding areas.
  • Jordan: The territory east of the Jordan River.
  • Lebanon: Including ancient Phoenicia.
  • Syria: Particularly the region around Damascus.
  • Iraq: Extending to the Euphrates River.
  • Turkey: Including lands of the ancient Hittites.

The Covenant as a Plan to Conquer the Known World

Given the extent of the lands described, it's clear that the Abrahamic Covenant encompassed what the ancient Hebrews would have perceived as the entire world. They did not know of lands beyond these borders; hence, their vision of world domination was geographically limited to these regions. If we strip away the divine context, the covenant can be interpreted as a declaration of intent by the Hebrews to conquer all known lands. The covenant, then, serves as a strategic framework for Jewish expansion, claiming divine sanction to dominate the territories known to them.

Paul's Deal with Rabbinic Leadership: Extending the Conquest

After the crucifixion of Jesus, the early Christian movement was in need of legitimacy and alliances to survive and grow. Paul’s letters, particularly in Galatians and Romans, extend the Abrahamic Covenant to Christians, suggesting that through faith in Christ, Gentiles can also inherit the blessings promised to Abraham.

Galatians 3:14 (NRSV):
"In order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Romans 4:13-16 (NRSV):
"For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith."

This extension can be viewed as Paul forging a deal with the Jewish leadership of his time. By aligning the growing Christian movement with Jewish territorial ambitions, Paul effectively secured Christian support for the Jewish vision of world conquest as outlined in the Abrahamic Covenant. Christians, in turn, were promised a share in the wealth and blessings of the lands they helped to conquer.

The Abrahamic Covenant as a Blueprint for World Conquest

When viewed outside of a religious or divine context, the Abrahamic Covenant appears less like a spiritual promise and more like a calculated geopolitical strategy. The covenant laid out a vision for Jewish control over the entire known world, with territories strategically vital for trade, agriculture, and military power. By expanding this covenant to include Christians, Paul ensured that the nascent Christian movement would not only support but actively participate in these conquests.

Historical Manifestations of the Alliance

This strategic alliance between Jews and Christians has manifested throughout history in various forms, often resulting in wars fought under the banner of reclaiming or defending the Promised Land. The Crusades are a prime example of Christian nations waging war to secure lands considered part of the biblical inheritance. Similarly, modern conflicts in the Middle East, particularly those involving the state of Israel, continue to be influenced by interpretations of the Abrahamic Covenant.

The Crusades (1096-1291 CE):
A series of religious wars initiated by Christian Europe to reclaim the Holy Land, viewed by Christians as their divine inheritance through their connection to the Abrahamic Covenant. The Crusades resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and left a lasting impact on Christian-Muslim relations.

World War I and the Balfour Declaration (1917):
The Balfour Declaration, issued by the British government during World War I, expressed support for the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. This was a pivotal moment in the realization of the territorial ambitions rooted in the Abrahamic Covenant. The declaration was followed by the League of Nations' mandate, which laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of Israel.

World War II and the Establishment of Israel (1948):
The horrors of the Holocaust during World War II galvanized international support for the creation of a Jewish state. In 1948, Israel was established, and Jewish people claimed the land promised in the Abrahamic Covenant. The creation of Israel led to significant conflict in the region, with wars and territorial disputes continuing to this day.

Conclusion: Trapped in a Story of Conquest

Humanity in 2024 remains trapped in a narrative that began with the Abrahamic Covenant—a narrative that, when stripped of its divine framing, appears to be a plan for world domination. This plan, later embellished through deep psychological conditioning, hypnosis, and the formation of powerful religious cults, has ensnared billions of people in a story that has caused unimaginable suffering. Wars have been fought, empires have risen and fallen, and millions have died, all in the service of this ancient covenant.

From the Crusades to the world wars that established the Jewish state, history shows how the Abrahamic Covenant has been implemented through the bloodshed of countless Christian fathers and children. These wars were not only battles over land but also battles to fulfill a script that has been deeply embedded in the psyche of millions—a script that calls for the conquest and domination of the world in the name of God.

When will we escape this brainwashing? How long will humanity continue to be prisoners of a story that has driven us to kill and conquer in the name of ancient promises? The time has come to critically examine this narrative and to question whether we can find a way to free ourselves from this deeply ingrained script of conquest.

Citations and References

  1. Genesis 15:18-21 (NRSV): The original text describing the Abrahamic Covenant and the land promised to Abraham's descendants.
    • Reference: The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version.
  2. Galatians 3:14 (NRSV): Paul's extension of the Abrahamic blessing to Gentiles through faith in Christ.
    • Reference: The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version.
  3. Romans 4:13-16 (NRSV): Paul’s discussion of the Abrahamic promise based on faith rather than law, extending to all who believe.
    • Reference: The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version.
  4. The Crusades: Historical reference to the series of religious wars fought in the Middle Ages under the banner of Christian duty to reclaim the Holy Land.
    • Source: Tyerman, Christopher. God's War: A New History of the Crusades. Harvard University Press, 2006.
  5. The Balfour Declaration: Analysis of the British government’s support for a Jewish homeland during World War I.
    • Source: Schneer, Jonathan. The Balfour Declaration: The Origins of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Random House, 2010.
  6. The Establishment of Israel: Examination of the events leading to the creation of Israel and its implications.
    • Source: Segev, Tom. 1949: The First Israelis. Owl Books, 1998.

This article argues that humanity has been trapped in a narrative established by the Abrahamic Covenant—a narrative that has driven wars and conquest for millennia. The question remains: when will we break free from this story?