בְּרִית (be.rit)
be.rit
covenant
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 231 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun beriyth denotes a binding agreement or compact, appearing frequently in Genesis, Joshua, and Jeremiah. Its core meaning spans human treaties between kings and subjects, alliances of friendship, and even marriage pacts. However, the word carries its greatest weight when describing the relationship between God and His people, where it signifies a solemn divine ordinance established with specific signs and pledges.
The term likely derives from a root meaning "to cut," reflecting the ancient ritual of cutting animals in two and passing between the pieces to seal a pact. This vivid imagery underscores the seriousness of the commitment; breaking the agreement was viewed as a breach of life itself. In Scripture, this concept appears when God establishes His covenant with Abraham or when leaders renew their loyalty to Him, highlighting that beriyth is not merely a contract but a profound bond of loyalty.
Translators typically render beriyth as "covenant," though the Hebrew sense includes elements of league and confederacy. The texts often pair it with verbs indicating making, keeping, or violating the agreement, showing that this relationship requires active fidelity from both parties. Whether referring to the Noahic promise or the Mosaic law, the word consistently points to a structured, enduring connection defined by mutual obligations and divine faithfulness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word beriyth describes a binding agreement, often rooted in ancient rituals where partners passed between cut animals to seal their promise. In Scripture, this term carries immense weight when God establishes His covenant with His people. It is not merely a legal contract but a profound bond of loyalty and mutual obligation. When God promises to be your God and you to walk with Him, He anchors that relationship in His own faithfulness.
This concept offers deep comfort because it reminds us that our connection to God rests on His steadfast commitment rather than our perfect performance. Whether referring to the promise given to Noah or the detailed instructions given to Abraham, beriyth points to a structured, enduring connection defined by divine grace. We can trust in this unshakeable bond, knowing that God remembers His promises and invites us into a life of shared purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 231 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] covenant of53×
- a covenant47×
- the/ covenant38×
- covenant/ my35×
- covenant/ his12×
- covenant/ your11×
- a covenant of10×
- covenant of/ my6×
- to/ a covenant of3×
- in the/ covenant3×
- [the] covenant3×
- on/ covenant/ my2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּרִית\־27×
- בְּרִ֣ית22×
- הַ/בְּרִ֔ית12×
- בְּרִ֥ית12×
- הַ/בְּרִית֙8×
- בְּרִיתִ֖/י8×
- בְּרִ֖ית8×
- בְּרִ֔ית7×
- הַ/בְּרִ֣ית6×
- בְּרִ֛ית5×
- בְרִ֖ית5×
- בְּרִיתִ֣/י4×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 17:7
I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to your offspring after you.
This verse establishes the covenant as an everlasting relationship where God pledges to be the God of Abraham's descendants, defining the core identity of the bond.
-
Genesis 9:13
I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.
Here the rainbow serves as a visible token of the covenant, reminding believers that God's promise to preserve life is reliable and seen in creation.
-
Exodus 2:24
God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
This occurrence shows that God remembers His covenant with the patriarchs even when His people suffer, highlighting His faithfulness across generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word beriyth mean?
How is beriyth different from a modern contract?
Why is the rainbow called a token of the covenant?
Every Occurrence (231 verses across 26 books)
Genesis 24 verses
But I will establish my covenant with you. You shall come into the ship, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’…
Genesis 9:9“As for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you,
Genesis 9:11I will establish my covenant with you: All flesh will not be cut off any more by the waters of the flood. There will…
Genesis 9:12God said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with…
Genesis 9:13I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth.
Genesis 9:15I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters will no…
Genesis 9:16The rainbow will be in the cloud. I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every…
Genesis 9:17God said to Noah, “This is the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is on the…
Genesis 14:13One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother…
Genesis 15:18In that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram, saying, “I have given this land to your offspring, from the river of…
Genesis 17:2I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”
Genesis 17:4“As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations.
Genesis 17:7I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an…
Genesis 17:9God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their…
Genesis 17:10This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you. Every male among you shall…
Genesis 17:11You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between me and you.
Genesis 17:13He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant shall be in your…
Genesis 17:14The uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people.…
Genesis 17:19God said, “No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant…
Genesis 17:21But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year.”
Genesis 21:27Abraham took sheep and cattle, and gave them to Abimelech. Those two made a covenant.
Genesis 21:32So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Abimelech rose up with Phicol, the captain of his army, and they returned into…
Genesis 26:28They said, “We saw plainly that Yahweh was with you. We said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, even between us and…
Genesis 31:44Now come, let’s make a covenant, you and I. Let it be for a witness between me and you.”