בְּרִית (be.rit)
be.rit
(Baal)-berith
N:N-M-TQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-T
Word Overview
The noun berit primarily means covenant, but this specific entry refers to Baal-berith, a compound name found in Judges 8:33 and 9:4. In these verses, it identifies a foreign deity worshipped in Shechem, combining the word for lord or master with berit. This usage highlights how local cults often adopted terms from Israelite religion to describe their own gods.
While berit usually denotes the solemn agreement between God and His people, here it is attached to Baal, creating a title that likely meant "Baal of the Covenant" or "Master of the Pact." This reflects the syncretism prevalent in ancient Canaan, where Israelites sometimes blended worship of Yahweh with local practices. The brief occurrence underscores the tension between exclusive loyalty to God and the pressure to conform to surrounding pagan traditions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Baal-berith appears in Judges 9:46 within a story about rebellion and violence in Shechem. It refers to a shrine dedicated to a foreign deity, combining the Canaanite god Baal with the Hebrew word for covenant. This historical detail shows how easily religious language can be twisted when mixed with idolatry.
For your faith today, this serves as a reminder of the importance of exclusive loyalty to God. True covenants are built on trust and fidelity, not on compromised practices that blend truth with falsehood. When we commit ourselves to God, we do so with clear hearts, avoiding the confusion that leads away from Him.
May you find peace in knowing that God values sincerity over syncretism. His promises remain steadfast, offering a reliable foundation for your life when you choose to walk in faithful obedience.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Berith1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּרִֽית\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 9:46
When all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith.
This verse identifies the specific location of the Baal-berith shrine, highlighting the physical center of idolatrous activity that opposed God's people.