How are the covenant accounts in Genesis 1314-17 1517-21 and 171-21 alike and how do they differ?

Answer 1

The word "covenant" does not occur in Genesis 13.

There are three covenants. Two which God made with Abraham (Genesis ch.15 and Genesis ch.17), and one with Abraham's Israelite descendants in the time of Moses after the Exodus.
1) In Genesis ch.15, the Covenant Between the Parts:
a) God informs Abraham of future events (the Egyptian exile)
b) God promises the land of Canaan (Israel) to Abraham's descendants
c) The covenant is finalized through a demonstration of God's presence (see Genesis 15:7-9 and 15:17).

2) In Genesis ch.17, the covenant of circumcision:
a) The promises of many descendants (17:2,3) and of inheriting the land of Canaan are repeated (17:8), but the main thing in this covenant is the promise that God will be the God of Abraham (17:7, 17:8).
b) God promises that Abraham and Sarah will have a son (17:15-16), whom they will name Isaac (17:19) and who will be the continuation of God's covenant with Abraham (17:21).
c) The covenant itself is manifested through circumcision, for Abraham and his descendants (17:10).

3) The covenant between God and the Israelite nation (see Exodus ch.19 and ch.24), was made in the time of Moses, with Moses serving as the messenger.
This covenant is one of obedience, to listen to God's voice (Exodus 19:5), which will include the entire Torah (24:12). God, for His part, promised to treasure the Israelites (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 26:16-19). The covenant was manifested through God's giving the Ten Commandments (Exodus ch.19-20), and was finalized (on our part) through the offerings described in Exodus ch.24.

See also:

What did God promise to the Israelites?

What was the outward sign of the Israelite covenant?

Answer 2

The covenant accounts in Genesis 13:14-17, 15:17-21, and 17:1-21 are alike in that they all involve promises made by God to Abraham regarding land and descendants. However, they differ in the specific aspects of the covenant, such as the involvement of sacrifices in Genesis 15:17-21 and the establishment of circumcision as a sign of the covenant in Genesis 17:1-21. Each covenant deepens and expands upon the previous one, showing God's faithfulness and Abraham's growing trust in Him.