The New Covenant

The Bible narrates several key covenants that God made with humanity. These covenants are significant because they reveal God’s unfolding plan for redemption and His relationship with His people. Here are the primary covenants mentioned in the Bible:

1. The Noahic Covenant

After the flood, God made an everlasting covenant with Noah and all living creatures that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. The rainbow is given as the sign of this everlasting covenant.

Genesis 9: 8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “I now establish My covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. 11 I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

12 And God said, “ This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

17 So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between Me and all life on the earth.”

2. The Abrahamic Covenant

God made an everlasting covenant with Abraham and all his descendants that He would make him a great nation, bless him, make his name great, bless those who bless him, and curse those who curse him. All families of the earth would be blessed through Abraham. This covenant includes promises of land, descendants, and blessing. Circumcision is given as the sign of the covenant. Also, it states that God will make a covenant with Isaac and his descendants (Gen 15:21), yet we see that both Ishmael and Isaac were part of the covenant that God made with Abraham as both of them were descendants of Abraham and circumcised as part of Abraham’s covenant (Gen 15:26).

Genesis 15: 17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi [ e ] of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates— 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.”

The Covenant of Circumcision

Genesis 17: When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty [ a ] ; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make My covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is My covenant with you : You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram [ b ] ; your name will be Abraham, [ c ] for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”

9 Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 1 0 This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

15 God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”

17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”

19 Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. [ d ] I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year .” 22 When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.

23 On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, 25 and his son Ishmael was thirteen; 26 Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day. 27 And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.

3. The Mosaic Covenant

In Exodus 19-24, God made a covenant with Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai, including the Ten Commandments and the Law. It establishes Israel as a holy nation and a kingdom of priests. Obedience to the Law would lead to blessings, while disobedience would result in curses. The Bible does not claim this to be an everlasting covenant and also indicates that this specific covenant is conditional (Exodus 19:5).

Exodus 19: On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.

3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you [ a ] will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Exodus 24: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. You are to worship at a distance, 2 but Moses alone is to approach the Lord; the others must not come near. And the people may not come up with him.”

3 When Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do.” 4 Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said.

He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the Lord. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar. 7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.”

8 Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

4. The Priestly Covenant

This covenant was made with Aaron and his descendants, establishing them as God’s chosen priests forever.

Numbers 25: 10 The Lord said to Moses, 11 “Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal. 12 Therefore tell him I am making my covenant of peace with him. 13 He and his descendants will have a covenant of a lasting priesthood, because he was zealous for the honor of his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”

5. The Davidic Covenant

God promised David that his descendants would rule Israel forever, establishing his throne for eternity. This covenant is foundational for the expectation of a Messiah, a descendant of David who would reign forever.

2 Samuel 7 27 “Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you. 28 Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”

6. The New Covenant

The New Covenant is promised to the people of Israel and Judah during a time of exile and anticipates a future in which God will write His law on their hearts, all will know Him, and He will forgive their iniquities. It also indicates that this will supersede the previous conditional Mosaic Covenant since the people of Israel broke that covenant with God when they fell into idol worship.

Jeremiah 31 30 Instead, everyone will die for their own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge. 31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “ when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke My covenant, though I was a husband to[ d ] them,[ e ]” declares the Lord. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Jesus ≠ New Covenant

Christians interpret the “New Covenant” prophesied in Jeremiah 31 as being fulfilled through Jesus Christ, referencing key texts such as Luke 22:20 and Hebrews 8 to substantiate this perspective. Although traditionally attributed to Paul, the Book of Hebrews is now widely recognized by contemporary scholars as being of anonymous authorship. As neither Paul nor an unknown author has any authority in defining scripture, Hebrews does not provide any support that the New Covenant was fulfilled through Jesus.

On the other hand, Luke 22:20 is from the Gospels and warrants consideration in this claim. This passage concerns the Eucharist, in which the disciples were supposedly asked to eat bread and drink wine, representing Christ’s body and blood.

Luke 22 14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. [ a ] 21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” 23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Luke 22:20 & New Covenant Missing in Manuscripts

Interestingly, if we go to the footnote of the RSV Bible, we see that verses 19-20 are omitted by authorities, as they are not found in older manuscripts.

The Holman Christian Standard Bible’s footnote states: “ Luke 22:20 Other mss omit which is given for you (v. 19 ) through the end of v. 20 “

According to Christian Publishing House, they show the variant readings of this passage, which either omit the verses or do not contain any mention of this act being part of a new covenant.

Variant 1 omit 22:19b–20, yielding this translation : “ 17 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks for it, he said, ‘Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the Kingdom of God comes.’ 19 Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had given thanks for it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body.’” D it a,d,i,l Didache

Variant 2 transposed order (22:19a, 17, 18) [No mention of a covenant] “ 19a Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had given thanks for it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body.’ 17 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks for it, he said, ‘Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the Kingdom of God comes.’” it b,e

Variant 3  transposed order (22:19, 17, 18) [No mention of a covenant] “ 19  Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had given thanks for it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’  17 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks for it, he said, ‘Take this and share it among yourselves.  18  For I tell you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the Kingdom of God comes.’”

Eucharist Pagan Origins

This ritual, central to Christian liturgy, especially within the Catholic tradition, is known as “transubstantiation.” In this ritual, the substances of bread and wine are believed to transform into the actual flesh and blood of Jesus Christ, who is acknowledged as the Son of God. This belief is not merely symbolic but a foundational doctrine of the Catholic faith, emphasizing the literalness of this transformation, intended to unify the believer with the divine.

Comparatively, similar ritualistic meals are documented within the “mystery religions” of the Greco-Roman world, which were characterized by secretive practices and initiation rites. For instance, the Mithraic Mysteries, devoted to the worship of Mithras—a deity associated with covenant and order—featured communal meals that symbolically incorporated the flesh and blood of their god. These practices, however, are not unique to Mithraism. In ancient Egypt, rituals involving consecrated cakes believed to embody the flesh of Osiris, the god of the afterlife, regeneration, and rebirth, were conducted by priests, dating back to around 3100 BC.

The parallels drawn between the Christian Eucharist and these ancient rituals have been the subject of scholarly debate. Critics argue that the concept of consuming a deity’s essence to achieve unity with the divine reflects a syncretism with pagan traditions, challenging the assertion of its originality within the Christian faith.

concept of Eucharist Abhorent in Judiaism

Additionally, as Jesus was a practicing Jew, it would make sense if such a practice had any backing in Judaism. As it stands, in Judaism, there is no concept equivalent to the Christian Eucharist, and it is considered absolutely revolting and abhorrent to the faith.

Eucharist According to the Didache

The Didache (Greek for “Teaching”) is one of the oldest Christian manuals, likely from the late 1st or early 2nd century, providing instructions on Christian ethics, rituals, and church order. It offers insight into the practices of early Christian communities, particularly regarding baptism, fasting, prayer, and the Eucharist. The document is significant because it represents an early stage of Christian liturgical development, distinct from later doctrinal formulations.

Unlike the New Testament accounts, the Didache does not describe the Eucharist as the body and blood of Christ or as the sign of the new covenant. Instead, it presents the meal as a thanksgiving offering, more aligned with Jewish berakhah (blessing) prayers than with the Last Supper’s sacrificial meaning.

For instance, the prayers in Didache 9 focus on giving thanks for the cup and the broken bread, without referencing Jesus’ sacrifice:

• On the cup : “We thank You, our Father, for the holy vine of Your servant David, which You made known to us through Your servant Jesus. To You be the glory forever.” ( Didache 9:2)
• On the bread : “We thank You, our Father, for the life and knowledge which You made known to us through Your servant Jesus. To You be the glory forever.” ( Didache 9:3)

The prayer for the bread includes a metaphor about unity:

“As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and was gathered together to become one, so may Your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom.” ( Didache 9:4)

Unlike Jesus’ words in Luke 22:20 (“This cup is the new covenant in my blood”), the Didache does not link the Eucharist to Jesus’ sacrificial death. The format of the prayers closely resembles Jewish blessings over wine and bread in Sabbath and festival meals, where God is thanked for provision rather than for a sacrificial atonement rather than the body and blood of Christ or the new covenant in his blood.

Quran & The New Covenant

Covenant Pre-Calf

The Quran narrates the original covenant that God made with the Children of Israel. According to the Quran, all of Mt. Sinai was lifted over them like an umbrella, which corresponds with what we find in the Bible regarding this event. According to both the Quran and the Bible, this original covenant was made before the incident with the calf.

2:63 We made a covenant with you , as we raised Mount Sinai above you: “You shall uphold what we have given you strongly, and remember its contents, that you may be saved.” 2:64 But you turned away thereafter , and if it were not for GOD’s grace towards you and His mercy, you would have been doomed. 2:65 You have known about those among you who desecrated the Sabbath. We said to them, “Be you as despicable as apes.” 2:66 We set them up as an example for their generation, as well as subsequent generations, and an enlightenment for the righteous.

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَـٰقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ ٱلطُّورَ خُذُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُۥ لَكُنتُم مِّنَ ٱلْخَـٰسِرِينَ

وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱعْتَدَوْا۟ مِنكُمْ فِى ٱلسَّبْتِ فَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُوا۟ قِرَدَةً خَـٰسِـِٔينَ

2:93 We made a covenant with you , as we raised Mount Sinai above you, saying, “You shall uphold the commandments we have given you, strongly, and listen.” They said, “We hear, but we disobey.” Their hearts became filled with adoration for the calf, due to their disbelief. Say, “Miserable indeed is what your faith dictates upon you, if you do have any faith.”

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَـٰقَكُمْ وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَكُمُ ٱلطُّورَ خُذُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ قَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا وَعَصَيْنَا وَأُشْرِبُوا۟ فِى قُلُوبِهِمُ ٱلْعِجْلَ بِكُفْرِهِمْ قُلْ بِئْسَمَا يَأْمُرُكُم بِهِۦٓ إِيمَـٰنُكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

4:154 And we raised Mount Sinai above them, as we took their covenant . And we said to them, “Enter the gate humbly.” And we said to them, “Do not desecrate the Sabbath.” Indeed, we took from them a solemn covenant.

وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَهُمُ ٱلطُّورَ بِمِيثَـٰقِهِمْ وَقُلْنَا لَهُمُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْبَابَ سُجَّدًا وَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ لَا تَعْدُوا۟ فِى ٱلسَّبْتِ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَـٰقًا غَلِيظًا

7:171 We raised the mountain above them like an umbrella, and they thought it was going to fall on them: “You shall uphold what we have given you, strongly, and remember the contents thereof, that you may be saved.”

وَإِذْ نَتَقْنَا ٱلْجَبَلَ فَوْقَهُمْ كَأَنَّهُۥ ظُلَّةٌ وَظَنُّوٓا۟ أَنَّهُۥ وَاقِعٌۢ بِهِمْ خُذُوا۟ مَآ ءَاتَيْنَـٰكُم بِقُوَّةٍ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ مَا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

Specific details of this original covenant can be found in the following verses.

2:83 Recall we made a covenant with the Children of Israel: “You shall not worship except GOD. You shall honor your parents and regard the relatives, the orphans, and the poor. You shall treat the people amicably. You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat).” But you turned away, except a few of you, and you became averse.

وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَـٰقَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ لَا تَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا وَذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَقُولُوا۟ لِلنَّاسِ حُسْنًا وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنكُمْ وَأَنتُم مُّعْرِضُونَ

5:12 GOD had taken a covenant from the Children of Israel , and we raised among them twelve patriarchs. And GOD said, “I am with you, so long as you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and believe in My messengers and respect them, and continue to lend GOD a loan of righteousness. I will then remit your sins, and admit you into gardens with flowing streams. Anyone who disbelieves after this, has indeed strayed off the right path.”

وَلَقَدْ أَخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِيثَـٰقَ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَبَعَثْنَا مِنْهُمُ ٱثْنَىْ عَشَرَ نَقِيبًا وَقَالَ ٱللَّهُ إِنِّى مَعَكُمْ لَئِنْ أَقَمْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَيْتُمُ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَءَامَنتُم بِرُسُلِى وَعَزَّرْتُمُوهُمْ وَأَقْرَضْتُمُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا لَّأُكَفِّرَنَّ عَنكُمْ سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ وَلَأُدْخِلَنَّكُمْ جَنَّـٰتٍ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ فَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ مِنكُمْ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ سَوَآءَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ

Covenant Post-Calf (The Gentile Prophet)

After worshiping the calf, the Quran informs us that God made an addendum to His covenant with the Children of Israel, depicted in Sura 7, verses 155 to 158, and this addendum requires that they follow the Gentile Prophet when he arrives.

7:155 Moses then selected seventy men from among his people, to come to our appointed audience. When the quake shook them, he said, “My Lord, You could have annihilated them in the past, together with me, if You so willed. Would You annihilate us for the deeds of those among us who are foolish? This must be the test that You have instituted for us. With it, You condemn whomever You will, and guide whomever You will. You are our Lord and Master, so forgive us, shower us with Your mercy; You are the best Forgiver.

وَٱخْتَارَ مُوسَىٰ قَوْمَهُۥ سَبْعِينَ رَجُلًا لِّمِيقَـٰتِنَا فَلَمَّآ أَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلرَّجْفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوْ شِئْتَ أَهْلَكْتَهُم مِّن قَبْلُ وَإِيَّـٰىَ أَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ مِنَّآ إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّا فِتْنَتُكَ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَهْدِى مَن تَشَآءُ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْغَـٰفِرِينَ

7:156 “And decree for us righteousness in this world, and in the Hereafter. We have repented to You. He said, “My retribution befalls whomever I will. But My mercy encompasses all things. However, I will specify it for those who (1) lead a righteous life, (2) give the obligatory charity (Zakat), (3) believe in our revelations, and

وَٱكْتُبْ لَنَا فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنَآ إِلَيْكَ قَالَ عَذَابِىٓ أُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَنْ أَشَآءُ وَرَحْمَتِى وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

7:157 (4) follow the messenger, the Gentile prophet (Muhammad), whom they find written in their Torah and Gospel. He exhorts them to be righteous, enjoins them from evil, allows for them all good food, and prohibits that which is bad, and unloads the burdens and the shackles imposed upon them. Those who believe in him, respect him, support him, and follow the light that came with him are the successful ones.

الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِنْدَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالْإِنْجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبَائِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَالْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ فَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِهِ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

7:158 Say, “O people, I am GOD’s messenger to all of you. To Him belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. There is no god except He. He controls life and death.” Therefore, you shall believe in GOD and His messenger, the Gentile prophet , who believes in GOD and His words. Follow him, that you may be guided.

قُلْ يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُمْ جَمِيعًا الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ الَّذِي يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَكَلِمَاتِهِ وَاتَّبِعُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

Prophecy of the Gentile Prophet

The Bible has two references to the prophecy of the Gentile Prophet. The first occurrence can be found in Isaiah 42. It is worth mentioning that this passage is also quoted in chapter 12 of the Gospel of Matthew, which confirms that the Gentile Prophet is mentioned in both the Torah and Gospel, just like the Quran claims.

42 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the Gentiles .

2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.

Note the Quran confirms that the prophet was not verbose in his speech. He was not out in the streets preaching and didn’t even like to have lengthy conversations.

9:61 Some of them hurt the prophet by saying, “ He is all ears! ” Say, “It is better for you that he listens to you. He believes in GOD, and trusts the believers. He is a mercy for those among you who believe.” Those who hurt GOD’s messenger have incurred a painful retribution.

وَمِنْهُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَيْرٍ لَّكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَيُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ

33:53 O you who believe, do not enter the prophet’s homes unless you are given permission to eat, nor shall you force such an invitation in any manner. If you are invited, you may enter. When you finish eating, you shall leave; do not engage him in lengthy conversations. This used to hurt the prophet, and he was too shy to tell you. But GOD does not shy away from the truth. If you have to ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and their hearts. You are not to hurt the messenger of GOD. You shall not marry his wives after him, for this would be a gross offense in the sight of GOD.*

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَدْخُلُوا۟ بُيُوتَ ٱلنَّبِىِّ إِلَّآ أَن يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ إِلَىٰ طَعَامٍ غَيْرَ نَـٰظِرِينَ إِنَىٰهُ وَلَـٰكِنْ إِذَا دُعِيتُمْ فَٱدْخُلُوا۟ فَإِذَا طَعِمْتُمْ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ وَلَا مُسْتَـْٔنِسِينَ لِحَدِيثٍ إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ يُؤْذِى ٱلنَّبِىَّ فَيَسْتَحْىِۦ مِنكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦ مِنَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَـٰعًا فَسْـَٔلُوهُنَّ مِن وَرَآءِ حِجَابٍ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ وَمَا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَن تُؤْذُوا۟ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَآ أَن تَنكِحُوٓا۟ أَزْوَٰجَهُۥ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦٓ أَبَدًا إِنَّ ذَٰلِكُمْ كَانَ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ عَظِيمًا

3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

Notice the connection between the above passage from Isaiah and the verse from the Quran. The one sent to the gentile nation will be a covenant for the people of the scripture, removing the shackles imposed upon them and bringing them out of darkness into the light.

5 This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.