בֶּ֫תֶר (be.ter)
be.ter
part
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun beṯer simply means a part or a piece, but its usage in Scripture is highly specific. It almost exclusively refers to the halves of an animal that have been cut in two during covenant rituals. This word appears only three times in the Bible, primarily in Genesis and Jeremiah, anchoring its meaning in these ancient sacrificial practices.
In Genesis 15:10, Abram cuts animals in half and places the pieces opposite each other, a vivid image of separation that underscores the seriousness of God’s promise. Similarly, Jeremiah 34:18-19 uses this term to describe those who violate their covenant by passing between the split parts of a calf, invoking a curse upon themselves. The physical division of the animal symbolizes the binding nature of the agreement and the severe consequences of breaking it.
While the word itself is straightforward, its theological weight comes from its context. It is not used for general pieces or fragments but specifically for the divided remains of sacrificial animals in covenant-making ceremonies. This highlights how ancient Near Eastern treaties often involved dramatic physical acts to seal verbal agreements, making the commitment tangible and solemn.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word beṯer refers to a part or piece, but in Scripture it carries heavy weight. It describes the halves of animals cut during ancient covenant rituals. When Abram saw these divided pieces in Genesis 15, he witnessed a solemn promise sealed by separation. This image reminds us that God’s commitments are serious and unbreakable.
In Jeremiah 34, this same term highlights the gravity of breaking promises. The people who passed between the calf’s parts invoked a curse upon themselves if they failed to keep their word. For believers today, this underscores the importance of integrity. Our words matter because God is faithful to His own covenant with us.
Though we do not perform such rituals now, the principle remains. We are called to live honestly and trust in God’s steadfast love. His promises stand firm, even when our own faith wavers. Rest in that security.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- pieces/ its1×
- piece/ its1×
- [the] pieces of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בִּתְרֵ֥י1×
- בִּתְר֖/וֹ1×
- בְּתָרָֽי/ו\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 15:10
He brought him all these, and divided them in the middle, and laid each half opposite the other; but he didn’t divide the birds.
This verse establishes the foundational covenant ritual where Abram sees God’s promise sealed through divided animal parts.
-
Jeremiah 34:18
I will give the men who have transgressed my covenant, who have not performed the words of the covenant which they made before me when they cut the calf in two and passed between its parts:
Here the term exposes the self-imposed curse on those who violate their covenant obligations before God.
-
Jeremiah 34:19
the princes of Judah, the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land, who passed between the parts of the calf.
This occurrence identifies the specific leaders who participated in the ritual, highlighting their collective responsibility for the breach.