← H1284 H1286 →

בְּרִית

𐤁𐤓𐤉𐤕

bᵉrîyth

H1285 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ברת to cut, to divide, to establish an agreement

Definition

A formal agreement or treaty, especially one instituting a binding relationship between parties; in many cases, designates a solemn and binding arrangement between a deity and humans (often, between the God of Israel and the Israelite people), but also used for agreements between individuals or groups. Berit encompasses legal, political, and social dimensions, and is characterized by conditions, obligations, and, in some cases, associated ceremonies.

Semantic Range

covenant, treaty, agreement, compact, pact, alliance, formal arrangement, binding relationship, legal contract

Root / Etymology

The word בְּרִית derives from the root ברת (likely from בָּרָה or possibly ברה/ברא in another sense), generally associated with the concept 'to cut.' The original sense is probably related to the ancient practice of ratifying treaties or covenants by the symbolic cutting or dividing of animals (see Genesis 15:10). However, the precise derivation remains debated. The lexical meaning of בְּרִית ('covenant, treaty, agreement') has developed beyond the concrete act to denote the established relationship or arrangement itself. Etymology uncertain in finer detail; associations with Assyrian birītu ('fetter, bond') have also been proposed.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, בְּרִית refers to diverse types of agreements: between individuals (e.g., Genesis 21:27, a pact between Abraham and Abimelech); between groups (such as treaties between kings or peoples); and preeminently, between the deity and the Israelite people (notably the 'Sinaitic covenant' or 'covenant with Abraham'). The concept is not legalistic alone but often carries ethical, religious, and communal implications. In historical development, the term serves as a central feature of Israelite identity, mediating legal, theological, and ancestral obligations. Lexically, בְּרִית differs from related terms such as חֹק (statute) or מִצְוָה (commandment), in that it denotes a relationship or arrangement, not just a code or rule. Later translations sometimes render בְּרִית as 'testament' or 'Jewish covenant,' but these renderings impose later theological and national concepts upon an earlier, broader term. In post-exilic, Second Temple, and later periods, the term becomes increasingly identified with specific traditions and doctrinal developments, but the biblical usage remains broader. English 'covenant' is an approximate translation but often fails to communicate the complexity and variety of the Hebrew term's use.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בָּרָה (in the sense of cutting (like בָּרָא)); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh); confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

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

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1170 בַּעַל בְּרִית binding covenant
H1286 בְּרִית binding covenant
H1307 בֵּרֹתִי the Berothite

Word Forms

28 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H1285-02 בְּרִ֔ית berit HNcfsa covenant binding agreement 113
H1285-12 הַ/בְּרִית֙ haberit HTd/Ncfsa of the covenant the binding agreement 47
H1285-06 בְּרִיתִ֖/י beriti HNcfsc/Sp1cs my covenant my binding covenant 41
H1285-24 בְרִית verit HNcfsc a covenant binding treaty of 18
H1285-07 בְּרִית֔/וֹ berito HNcfsc/Sp3ms his covenant his binding agreement 15
H1285-26 בְרִיתִ֖/י veriti HNcfsc/Sp1cs my covenant my binding-agreement 7
H1285-16 לִ/בְרִ֣ית liverit HR/Ncfsc as-a-covenant for a binding treaty 5
H1285-25 בְרִֽיתְ/ךָ֙ veritekha HNcfsc/Sp2ms your covenant your binding covenant 5
H1285-18 וּ/בְרִ֤ית uverit HC/Ncfsc and covenant and binding-agreement of 4
H1285-03 בְּרִֽיתְ/ךָ֙ beritekha HNcfsc/Sp2ms your covenant your binding treaty 4

Occurrences in Scripture

284 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H1285-06 Genesis 6:18 בְּרִיתִ֖/י beriti HNcfsc/Sp1cs my covenant my binding covenant
H1285-06 Genesis 9:9 בְּרִיתִ֖/י beriti HNcfsc/Sp1cs my covenant my binding covenant
H1285-06 Genesis 9:11 בְּרִיתִ/י֙ beriti HNcfsc/Sp1cs my covenant my binding covenant
H1285-12 Genesis 9:12 הַ/בְּרִית֙ haberit HTd/Ncfsa of the covenant the binding agreement
H1285-02 Genesis 9:13 בְּרִ֔ית berit HNcfsa of covenant binding agreement
H1285-06 Genesis 9:15 בְּרִיתִ֗/י beriti HNcfsc/Sp1cs my covenant my binding covenant
H1285-02 Genesis 9:16 בְּרִ֣ית berit HNcfsc covenant binding agreement
H1285-12 Genesis 9:17 הַ/בְּרִית֙ haberit HTd/Ncfsa of the covenant the binding agreement
H1285-24 Genesis 14:13 בְרִית verit HNcfsc covenant binding treaty of
H1285-02 Genesis 15:18 בְּרִ֣ית berit HNcfsa covenant binding agreement
← H1284 Hebrew Lexicon H1286 →