The meaning of “בְּרִית”
Understanding bᵉrîyth reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. - a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) 1) cove...
בְּרִית
confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. - a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 17:7 | “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.” Word: בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth) | |
| Joshua 6:8 | “And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the Lord, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them.” Word: בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth) | |
| 2 Kings 17:38 | “And the covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods.” Word: בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth) | |
| Job 31:1 | “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” Word: בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth) | |
| Ezekiel 17:16 | “As I live, saith the Lord God, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.” Word: בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Covenant
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Covenant, treaty
The Hebrew berit (בְּרִית) denotes a covenant—a binding agreement, often ratified by blood sacrifice. God's covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic) structure redemptive history, culminating in the New Covenant.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Covenant, testament
The Greek diatheke (διαθήκη) means covenant or testament—a binding arrangement. The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) is ratified by Christ's blood, surpassing the old (Hebrews 8:6-13).