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בְּרִית

𐤁𐤓𐤉𐤕

Berit

H1286 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ברית to bind, to covenant, to make an agreement

Definition

Berith, the name of a deity worshipped in Shechem, most likely a local manifestation or hypostasis of a god associated with covenant or authority. The term in this specific usage refers to a particular divine figure in local Canaanite-Israelite syncretism.

Semantic Range

covenant, treaty, alliance, agreement; (as a proper name) Berith, a Shechemite local deity, often as 'Baal-berith'

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root בְּרִית (berit), meaning 'covenant' or 'treaty.' The formation as a proper noun with the definite article (הַבְּרִית, 'the Berith') indicates personification or deification of the abstract concept of covenant, rather than a distinct Semitic deity by a separate root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Berith appears in Judges 8:33 and 9:4, 46, associated with the worship of 'Baal-berith' ('Lord of the Covenant') in Shechem. The term thus represents a syncretistic local deity or divine patron linked to covenants, especially treaties binding Shechemite clans. The form does not indicate a unique mythological persona outside this context, but reflects a tendency to personify abstract concepts. Standard translations render the name variously as 'Berith' or incorporate the term in 'Baal-berith.' In these texts, the worship is distinct from mainstream Israelite practice and reflects Canaanite religious patterns. The English term 'Berith' is a simple transliteration and does not convey the connection to 'covenant' inherent in the Hebrew.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as בְּרִית; Berith, a Shechemitish deity; Berith.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ברת (b-r-t) — to cut, to divide, to establish an agreement

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1170 בַּעַל בְּרִית binding covenant
H1285 בְּרִית in the binding agreement
H1307 בֵּרֹתִי the Berothite

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1286-01 בְּרִֽית berit HNp Berith binding covenant 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1286-01 Judges 9:46 בְּרִֽית berit HNp Berith binding covenant
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