What does covenanting mean?
Covenanting is the act of entering into a covenant — a formal, solemn, and binding agreement, most often one sworn before God or between parties under serious obligations. The term functions both as the present participle of the verb 'to covenant' and, less commonly, as a noun denoting the practice itself. Its strongest associations are historical and religious: in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Scotland, Covenanting named a powerful movement in which Presbyterians swore national covenants, notably the National Covenant of 1638, to defend their church against royal control, often at great personal cost. Beyond this heritage, the word survives in legal, theological, and contractual contexts wherever agreements are framed as solemn pledges rather than mere bargains. Its tone is formal and weighty, carrying connotations of loyalty, mutual obligation, and moral seriousness that lighter words like 'agreeing' simply do not convey.
Present participle of 'covenant': to enter into or make a formal, solemn, and binding agreement or pledge.
"The two congregations were covenanting to support each other's ministries."
Almost always found in formal, legal, or religious contexts.
The practice or act of making covenants; historically, the Scottish religious movement centred on swearing national covenants in defence of Presbyterianism.
"Covenanting shaped the political conscience of seventeenth-century Scotland."
Often capitalised when referring specifically to the historical Scottish movement.
Rarely used; the plural appears only in historical or archaic writing referring to multiple acts of covenanting.
"The volume collects the various covenantings sworn by the kirk across the seventeenth century."
In 17th-century Scotland, 'covenanting' wasn't just paperwork — signing the National Covenant could cost you your life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of covenanting
Covenanting derives from 'covenant', which entered Middle English from Old French 'convenant' (agreement), ultimately from Latin 'convenire', meaning 'to come together or agree'. This Latin root also gives English words such as 'convene', 'convention', 'event', and 'prevent', all built on the verb 'venire', 'to come'. The verbal use of 'covenant' developed in English from the medieval legal sense of a sealed agreement, and its participle 'covenanting' became especially prominent in Reformation-era religious language describing solemn pacts sworn with God.
Related word forms
How covenanting is actually used
The word carries a formal, solemn, and largely historical or religious register. Outside discussions of theology, law, or Scottish history, ordinary speakers would more likely say 'making an agreement' or 'pledging'. In Scottish church history, 'Covenanting' with a capital C refers specifically to the movement surrounding the National Covenant of 1638 and later covenants.
Easily confused with covenanting
Convening means bringing people together for a meeting, while covenanting means entering into a solemn binding agreement.