בְּרִית
Berith, a Shechemitish deity
Definition
Berith is the name of a local deity worshipped by the Shechemites, as recorded in Judges 9:46. The name is identical to the common Hebrew noun for 'covenant' (בְּרִית, H1285), suggesting the deity may have been associated with covenant-making or oaths. In the single biblical occurrence, the people of Shechem take refuge in the 'temple of El-Berith' (אֵל בְּרִית), which translates to 'God of the Covenant.' This indicates Berith was likely a Canaanite god venerated at a specific cultic site in Shechem.
Biblical Usage
This proper noun occurs only once in the Old Testament, in Judges 9:46. It is used in the context of the Shechemites seeking sanctuary in the stronghold of the temple of their god, El-Berith, during Abimelech's violent conflict. The usage is purely referential, identifying a specific pagan deity and his temple, with no extended metaphorical or theological application elsewhere in Scripture.
Etymology
The word בְּרִית (Berith) is the same spelling as the common noun for 'covenant' (H1285). It derives from the root ב.ר.ה (b-r-h), related to the idea of cutting, as covenants were often ratified by cutting animals. As a divine name, it likely personifies or deifies the abstract concept of a binding covenant or treaty.
Semantic Range
The mention of Berith serves as a stark theological contrast to Yahweh, the God of Israel. Its occurrence in Judges 9 highlights the syncretism and idolatry of the period, where Israelites in Shechem were worshipping a local Canaanite 'god of the covenant' instead of the true God who established a covenant with His people. Understanding this enriches the reading of Judges by underscoring the spiritual apostasy that led to cycles of judgment.
In the ancient Near East, local deities like Berith were often tied to specific cities or tribes, serving as their divine patrons. The 'temple of El-Berith' was likely a fortified cultic center, a common feature in Canaanite city-states. The name itself reflects the high cultural importance of covenant treaties in structuring political and social relationships, a concept that was then projected onto the divine realm.
אֵל (ʼÊl, H410) — The generic Canaanite term for 'god' or the name of the high god, of which 'El-Berith' is a specific manifestation.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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