Blood is thicker than water

Posted by Lorrie on February 18, 2003

In Reply to: Blood is thicker than water posted by ESC on February 18, 2003

I found some documentation that states the same as my original post at: [Dead link removed - ed]

It states: "Blood is thicker than water."

This phrase has completely lost its original, covenant-related, meaning. Today, it is interpreted as meaning that blood-related family members are to be considered as more important than anyone else. However, the original meaning is, "The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb," or, "My relationship with those to whom I am joined in covenant is to be considered of more value than the relationship with a brother with whom I may have shared the womb."

Also at:[Dead link removed - ed]

which states: Blood is Thicker Than Water

By Pastor Johnie Akers

I Samuel 20:16,17, "So Jonathan made (cut) a covenant with the house of David, saying, 'Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David's enemies.' And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul."

Matthew 26:27,28, "And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.'

The expression "blood is thicker than water" may be familiar with us in general terms, but it's true meaning, especially in Western culture, is somewhat foreign. An understanding of ancient Eastern covenants brings new light to this obscure phrase.

During the ritual of ancient covenant making, the two parties involved would divide an animal in half, and stand together in the blood, with their right hands clasp, and swear a mutual oath binding them to each other. In some cases, each party would cut their respective hands, bind them together with the other party, allowing their blood to mingle. The resulting union of this blood oath was never to be broken. In effect, the two participants in the covenant would become "blood brothers," and thus become one flesh.

The relationship born of this union was so knit, that brothers made through the blood of covenants were closer to each other than brothers who were born from the same womb. Hence, blood (of the covenant) is thicker than water (of the womb).

In the first scripture above, Jonathan and David cut a covenant and become, likewise, blood brothers. This bond lasted until death. In the second passage above, Christ, too, makes a blood covenant with his disciples and thereby binding himself to them, and all disciples to follow, with a covenant that exceeds any natural relationship. As ancient covenants go, Christ's was also "till death us do part."

As Christians, the sacrament of Holy Communion pictures the bond of our blood covenant with Christ and with one another. We are one flesh and one blood. I Corinthians 10:16, 17 affirms, "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread."

The promises of Christ to all believers contained in the Word of God are not mere superficial statements based on shallow whims of the moment. But they all are eternal promises cut deep in the blood of the eternal covenant between Christ and the Father, by which we are made heirs. With boldness Christ says in Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

Gods promises in the Bible to us of salvation, healing, blessing, and restoration, are not based on feeling, emotion, wishful thinking, or the mood of the day, but on a much greater bond, the covenant blood of Jesus Christ! II Corinthians 1:20 resounds, "For all the promises of God in him (Christ) are yea, and in him, Amen."

Thank you.