Original Word: בְּרִית
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: briyth
Pronunciation: buh-REETH
Phonetic Spelling: (ber-eeth')
KJV: confederacy, (con-)feder(-ate), covenant, league
NASB: covenant, treaty, league, allied, covenants
Word Origin: [from H1262 (בָּרָה - eat) (in the sense of cutting (like H1254 (בָּרָא - Create)))]

1. a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

confederacy, confederate, covenant, league

From barah (in the sense of cutting (like bara')); a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) -- confederacy, (con-)feder(-ate), covenant, league.

see HEBREW barah

see HEBREW bara'

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a covenant
NASB Translation
allied (1), allies* (1), covenant (275), covenants (1), El-berith* (1), league (2), treaty (4).

בְּרִית₂₈₅ noun feminine covenant ("" Aramaic קְיָם, διαθήκη; constitutio) — ׳ב Genesis 9:13 199t.; suffix בְּרִיתִי Genesis 6:18 50t.; בְּרִיתְךָ Deuteronomy 33:9; בְּרִיתֶ֑ךָ Psalm 44:18 11t.; בְּרִיתְכֶם Isaiah 28:18; בְּרִיתֵךְ Ezekiel 16:61; בְּרִיתוֺ Exodus 2:24 18t.; — pact, compact, covenant.

I. between men.

1 trety, alliance, league: Abraham and Amorites Genesis 14:13; Edom and its allies Obadiah 7; with Philistines Genesis 21:27,32 (E) Genesis 26:28 (J); Jacob and Laban Genesis 31:44 (J); Joshua and Gibeonites Joshua 9:6,7,11,15,16 (J); Israel and Canaanites Exodus 23:32; Exodus 34:12,15 (JE) Deuteronomy 7:2; Judges 2:2; Ammonites and Jabesh 1 Samuel 11:1; Solomon and Hiram 1 Kings 5:26; Ahab and Benhadad 1 Kings 20:34; Syria and Israel 1 Kings 15:19 2Chronicles 16:3; Nebuchadnezzar and Zedekiah Ezekiel 17:13-19; nations against Israel Psalm 83:6; nations with Egypt Ezekiel 30:5; Ephraim and Assyria Hosea 12:2; Judah and Israel Ezekiel 16:61; Judah and Tyre Amos 1:9; Assyria and Judah Isaiah 33:8; נגיד ברית a prince in league (with him) Daniel 11:22 (so He Ew; Hi Meinh Bev reference to high priest Onias III, & translate prince of covenant, compare AV RV); figurative, with death Isaiah 28:15,18; with stones of the field Job 5:23.

2 constitution, ordinance, between monarch and subjects: David and Abner 2 Samuel 3:12,13,21; David and the elders of Israel 2 Samuel 5:3 = 1 Chronicles 11:3; Zedekiah and his people Jeremiah 34:8-18; hostile prince and Israelites Daniel 9:27.

3 agreement, pledge: Jehoiada and captains 2 Kings 11:4 2Chronicles 23:1; with onself Job 31:1; with Leviathan to be a servant Job 40:28; between man and man Hosea 10:4 compare בעל ברית Judges 8:33; Judges 9:4 = אל ברית Judges 9:46.

4 alliance of friendship between David and Jonathan 1 Samuel 18:3; 1 Samuel 20:8; 1 Samuel 23:18 compare Psalm 55:21.

5 alliance of marriage Proverbs 2:17; Malachi 2:14. — In all cases כרת ברית is the technical phrase for making covenant except Jeremiah 34:10 באו בברית; Daniel 9:27 הגביר ברית לְ. Various prepositions are used, most often לְ Exodus 23:32 +, but also עִם Genesis 26:28 +, אֵת 2 Samuel 3:12 +, בֵּין2Chronicles 16:3.

II. between God and man.

1 alliance of friendship ("" סוֺד) Psalm 25:14.

2 covenant, as a divine constitution or ordinance with signs or pledges (see אוֺת).

a. with Noah Genesis 9:9-17 (P) Isaiah 54:10; Jeremiah 33:20,25; a divine promise that there would be no other deluge.

b. with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Genesis 15:18 (J) Genesis 17:2-21 Exodus 2:24; Exodus 6:4,5; Leviticus 26:42 (P) 2 Kings 13:23; 1 Chronicles 16:15 = Psalm 105:8; Psalm 105:10; Nehemiah 9:8; Jeremiah 34:18; a promise to multiply their seed, give them the land of Canaan, and make them a blessing to the nations.

c. with Israel at Sinai = Horeb, with a covenant sacrifice Exodus 19:5; Exodus 24:7,8 (E) Exodus 34:10,27,28 (J) Exodus 31:16; Leviticus 2:13 (P) Leviticus 24:8; Leviticus 26:9,15,25,44,45 (H) Deuteronomy 4:13; renewed in plains of Moab Deuteronomy 28:69; with blessings and curses Deuteronomy 29:20; frequently referred to in other books 2Chronicles 34:32; Psalm 25:10; Psalm 44:18; Psalm 50:5; Psalm 50:16; Psalm 74:20; Psalm 78:10; Psalm 78:37; Psalm 103:18; Psalm 106:45; Psalm 111:5; Psalm 111:9; Isaiah 56:4,6; Jeremiah 1:2,3,6,8,10; Jeremiah 14:21; Jeremiah 22:9; Jeremiah 31:32; Ezekiel 16:8,59,60; Ezekiel 44:7; Daniel 9:4; Daniel 11:28,30,32; Hosea 6:7; Hosea 8:1; Zechariah 9:11; Zechariah 11:10; a divine constitution given to Israel with promises on condition of obedience and penalties for disobendience, in the form of tables of the covenant Deuteronomy 9:9,11,15, inscribed with the ten words, placed in ׅ׳ארון ברית(י the ark of the covenant Numbers 10:33 40t. (see ארון; in 1 Samuel 4:3,4 (twice in verse); 1 Samuel 4:5 omits ברית after ארון ᵐ5 We Dr); set forth in דברי הברית words of the covenant Exodus 34:28 (J) Deuteronomy 28:69; Deuteronomy 29:8; 2 Kings 23:3 (= 2 Chronicles 34:31) Jeremiah 11:2-8; written in ספר הברית the book of the covenant Exodus 24:7 (E compare Exodus 34:27 J) 2 Kings 23:2,21 (compare 2 Chronicles 34:30).

d. with Phinehas Numbers 25:12,13 (P), a constitution, establishing an everlasting priesthood in his line; compare ברית הכהנים Nehemiah 13:29 & ברית הלוי Malachi 2:4,8.

e. with Joshua and Israel Joshua 24:25 (E), an ordinance or constitutional agreement to serve Yahweh only.

f. with David Psalm 89:4; Psalm 89:29; Psalm 89:34; Psalm 89:39; Psalm 132:12; Jeremiah 33:21 (compare 2 Samuel 7 = 1 Chronicles 17); a divine promise to the seed of David of an everlasting kingdom, the relation of sonship, and the superintendence of the temple (compare Psalms 2..)

g. Jehoiada and the people 2 Kings 11:17 2Chronicles 23:3, a constitutional agreement to be the people of Yahweh.

h. Hezekiah and the people2Chronicles 29:10, a constitutional agreement to reform the worship.

i. Josiah and the people 2 Kings 23:3, a constitutional agreement to obey the book of the covenant.

j. Ezra and the people Ezra 10:3, a constitutional agreement to put away foreign wives and observe the Law.

k. the prophetic covenant, a divine promise through a series of prophets to establish a new constitution ברית חדשׁה Jeremiah 31:31, with new institutions and precepts Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:8; Isaiah 55:3; Isaiah 59:21; Isaiah 61:8; Jeremiah 31:31,33; Jeremiah 32:40; Jeremiah 50:5; Ezekiel 16:60,62; Ezekiel 20:37; Ezekiel 34:25; Ezekiel 37:26; Hosea 2:20. In Isa² the Messianic servant is ברית עם Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:8, compare מלאך הברית Malachi 3:1.

III. Phrases.

1 covenant making: כרת ברית Genesis 15:18; Exodus 34:10,27 (J) Joshua 24:25 (E) Deuteronomy 5:2,3; Deuteronomy 28:69; Deuteronomy 29:13; Deuteronomy 29:24; 1 Kings 5:26; 2 Kings 11:17; 2 Kings 17:35,38; 2 Kings 23:3; 2Chronicles 21:7; 23:3,16; 29:10; 34:30; Ezra 10:3; Nehemiah 9:8; Psalm 50:5; Psalm 89:4; Isaiah 55:3; Isaiah 61:8; Jeremiah 11:10; Jeremiah 31:31,32,33; Jeremiah 32:40; Jeremiah 34:13; Ezekiel 34:25; Ezekiel 37:26; Hosea 2:20; הקים ברית establish a covenant Genesis 6:18; Genesis 9:9,11,17; Genesis 17:7,19,21; Exodus 6:4 (P) Ezekiel 16:60,62, but confirm covenant Leviticus 26:9 (?;H) Deuteronomy 8:18; נתן ברית Genesis 17:2; Numbers 25:12 (P); שׂם ברית 2 Samuel 23:5 (poetry); עבר בברית Deuteronomy 29:11; בא בברית2Chronicles 15:12; Ezekiel 16:8; צוה ברית Psalm 111:9; נשׂא ברית על פי Psalm 50:16. (compare further on these Dr^{J Ph xi. 1882, 210 ff.})

2 covenant keeping: on the part of man שׁמר ברית 1 Kings 11:11; Nehemiah 1:5; Nehemiah 9:32; Psalm 78:10; Psalm 103:18; Psalm 132:12; Daniel 9:4, נצר ברית Deuteronomy 33:9; Psalm 25:10, מחזיקים בברית Isaiah 56:4,6; on the part of God זכר ברית Genesis 9:15,16; Exodus 2:24; Exodus 6:5 (all P), Leviticus 26:42 (3 t. in verse) (H; on suffix compare Di Ges^{§ 128}, 1 R b) Leviticus 26:45 (H) Psalm 105:8; Psalm 106:45; Psalm 111:5; 1 Chronicles 16:15; Ezekiel 16:15,60. Thus we have נאמנת Psalm 89:29; ברית עולם Genesis 9:16; Genesis 17:7,13,18,19; Exodus 31:16; Leviticus 24:8; Numbers 18:19; Numbers 25:13 (P) 2 Samuel 23:5 (poetry) 1 Chronicles 16:17 (= Psalm 105:10) Isaiah 24:5; Isaiah 55:3; Isaiah 61:8; Jeremiah 32:40; Jeremiah 50:5; Ezekiel 16:60; Ezekiel 37:26; ברית מלח Leviticus 2:13; 2Chronicles 13:5; 21:7 (a cov't. with sacrificial meal and salt; on cov't. with salt in Arabia compare We^{Skizzen iii. 124}); ברית שׁלום Numbers 25:12 (P) Isaiah 54:10; Ezekiel 34:25; Ezekiel 37:26; הברית והחסד Deuteronomy 7:9,12; 1 Kings 8:23 (= 2 Chronicles 6:14) Nehemiah 1:5; Nehemiah 9:32; Daniel 9:4; ברית קדשׁ Daniel 11:28,30; מסרת הברית Ezekiel 20:37.

3 covenant violation: עבר ברית Deuteronomy 17:2; Joshua 7:11,15; Joshua 23:16 (D) Judges 2:20; 2 Kings 18:12; Hosea 6:7; Hosea 8:1; הפר ברית Genesis 17:14; Leviticus 26:15,44 (H) Deuteronomy 31:16,20 (J) Judges 2:1; Isaiah 24:5 (twice in verse); Jeremiah 11:10; Jeremiah 14:21; Jeremiah 31:32; Jeremiah 33:20,21; Ezekiel 16:59; Ezekiel 17:18,19; Ezekiel 44:7; Zechariah 11:10; עזב ברית 1 Kings 19:10,14; Jeremiah 22:9; Daniel 11:30; מאס ברית 2 Kings 17:15; נאר ברית Psalm 89:39; חלל ברית Psalm 89:34; Malachi 2:10; שׁקר בברית Psalm 44:18; שׁכח ברית Deuteronomy 4:23,31; Jeremiah 50:5.

בְּרוֺשׁ, בְּרוֺת see below ברשׁ.

בָּרוּת see below I. ברה.

בֵּרוֺ֫תָה, בֵּרֹתי see below באר.

ברז (? compare Aramaic כרז bore, pierce, or Arabic , appear).

Nature and Essence of בְּרִית (Covenant)

At its core בְּרִית describes a solemn, binding relationship established by oath, sealed with a sign, and administered by God as the highest party. It is both relational and legal: a bond of fellowship that carries the weight of juridical commitment. Whether between God and humanity or among humans, a בְּרִית creates an enduring framework of loyalty, blessing, and accountability.

Covenant Components

1. Oath-making words (e.g., Genesis 26:28).
2. Sacrificial or symbolic act, frequently blood (Exodus 24:5–8).
3. A written record or “book of the covenant” (Exodus 24:7).
4. A sign to memorialize and perpetuate the relationship (Genesis 9:12-17; 17:11).
5. Blessings for faithfulness and curses for violation (Deuteronomy 28).
6. A covenant meal or shared bread and salt, embodying fellowship (Genesis 31:54).

Divine Covenants in Redemptive History

• Noahic Covenant: Genesis 9:9-17. An unconditional pledge never again to destroy all flesh by flood, secured by the rainbow. It universalizes common grace and steady seasons (Genesis 8:22).

• Abrahamic Covenant: Genesis 12:1-3; 15:7-21; 17:1-14. It guarantees land, seed, and worldwide blessing, grounded in divine promise alone: “Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Circumcision serves as the covenant sign.

• Mosaic (Sinai) Covenant: Exodus 19–24. Israel is constituted “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). The Decalogue and ordinances define covenant obedience. Blood sprinkled on both altar and people forges relational union: “Behold the blood of the covenant” (Exodus 24:8).

• Priestly Covenant: Numbers 25:12-13; Nehemiah 13:29. Phinehas’ zeal secures “a covenant of perpetual priesthood” grounded in atonement.

• Davidic Covenant: 2 Samuel 7:8-16; Psalm 89:3-4. The eternal kingship promise advances the seed theme to its Messianic climax.

• New Covenant: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:25-28. Internal law-writing, Spirit renewal, and full forgiveness converge. Hebrews 8 interprets its ratification through Jesus’ atoning blood (Matthew 26:28).

Human-to-Human Covenants

• Political treaties: Abraham and Abimelech (Genesis 21:27-32); Joshua with Gibeon (Joshua 9).
• Marriage: Malachi 2:14 calls marriage “your companion and wife by covenant,” portraying marital fidelity as covenant faithfulness.
• Friendship: Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 18:3-4; 20:16-17).
• Commerce and Vassalage: Hiram and Solomon (1 Kings 5:12).

Ritual Expressions

The idiom “cut a covenant” (karat berit) reflects the slaughter of animals. The dramatic self-maledictory rite in Genesis 15:9-18, where a smoking firepot and flaming torch pass between the pieces, communicates God’s unilateral assumption of covenant curses upon Himself. The annual Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) renews the Mosaic covenant relationship through sprinkled blood (Leviticus 16:15-19).

Covenant Loyalty and Apostasy

Ḥesed (“steadfast love”) is covenantal love (Deuteronomy 7:9). Violation provokes divine lawsuit (rib). Prophets indict Israel for “breaking the covenant” (Hosea 6:7; Jeremiah 11:10). Yet covenant mercy (Isaiah 54:10) guarantees a faithful remnant.

Covenant in Psalms and Wisdom Literature

Psalms celebrates covenant faithfulness: “He has remembered His covenant forever” (Psalm 105:8). Wisdom warns: “He who despises his oath and breaks a pledge will not escape” (Proverbs 11:21 implied; cf. Proverbs 2:17 on the adulteress).

Eschatological Fulfillment

Isaiah foresees a “covenant for the people” (Isaiah 42:6; 49:8) embodied in the Servant. Ezekiel anticipates an “everlasting covenant of peace” (Ezekiel 37:26). Zechariah 9:11 grounds Israel’s future liberation “because of the blood of My covenant with you.” All culminate in the cup Christ proclaims: “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).

Ministry and Pastoral Implications

1. Preaching: Tracing the covenant storyline clarifies Scripture’s unity and Christ’s centrality.
2. Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper function as covenant signs and seals, echoing circumcision and Passover.
3. Marriage counseling: Upholding covenant language anchors marital vows in divine pattern.
4. Church membership: Covenantal commitment informs polity and mutual accountability.
5. Missions: The Abrahamic promise propels global evangelism, “and all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

Key Theological Themes

• Sovereignty and Grace: God initiates and sustains His covenants.
• Law and Gospel: Covenant stipulations reveal sin; covenant promises provide redemption.
• Continuity and Fulfillment: The New Covenant consummates, not cancels, earlier covenants, preserving divine faithfulness (Romans 11:29).
• Mediation: Priests, kings, and prophets foreshadow the ultimate Mediator, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:15).

Representative Old Testament Occurrences

Genesis 6:18; 17:2; Exodus 2:24; 34:10; Leviticus 26:42; Deuteronomy 4:13; 29:1; Joshua 23:16; 2 Kings 17:15; Psalm 50:5; Isaiah 24:5; Jeremiah 34:18; Ezekiel 16:62; Daniel 9:4; Malachi 2:5.

Conclusion

בְּרִית unites the entire canon, revealing God’s unwavering resolve to dwell with His people through sworn promise, sacrificial blood, and transforming grace, reaching ultimate realization in the eternal covenant secured by Jesus Christ.

בְ֝רִית֗וֹ בְ֭רִית בְּ֭רִית בְּרִ֑ית בְּרִ֔ית בְּרִ֖ית בְּרִ֗ית בְּרִ֛ית בְּרִ֜ית בְּרִ֣ית בְּרִ֤ית בְּרִ֥ית בְּרִ֨ית בְּרִֽיתְךָ֖ בְּרִֽיתְךָ֗ בְּרִֽיתְךָ֙ בְּרִֽיתְכֶם֙ בְּרִֽית־ בְּרִֽית׃ בְּרִית֑וֹ בְּרִית֒ בְּרִית֔וֹ בְּרִית֖וֹ בְּרִית֗וֹ בְּרִית֙ בְּרִית֛וֹ בְּרִית֩ בְּרִיתִ֑י בְּרִיתִ֔י בְּרִיתִ֕י בְּרִיתִ֖י בְּרִיתִ֗י בְּרִיתִ֛י בְּרִיתִ֜י בְּרִיתִ֞י בְּרִיתִ֣י בְּרִיתִ֣י ׀ בְּרִיתִ֤י בְּרִיתִ֥י בְּרִיתִ֧י בְּרִיתִ֨י בְּרִיתִֽי׃ בְּרִיתִי֙ בְּרִיתִי֮ בְּרִיתֵ֗ךְ בְּרִיתֶֽךָ׃ בְּרִיתֽוֹ׃ בְּרִית־ בְּרִיתוֹ֙ בְּרִתִ֔י בְרִ֑ית בְרִ֔ית בְרִ֖ית בְרִ֨ית בְרִֽיתְךָ֙ בְרִֽית׃ בְרִית֑וֹ בְרִית֙ בְרִיתִ֔י בְרִיתִ֖י בְרִיתִ֛י בְרִיתִ֣י בְרִיתֶ֑ךָ בְרִיתֶ֔ךָ בְרִית־ בִּבְרִ֛ית בִּבְרִ֣ית בִּבְרִיתִֽי׃ בִּבְרִיתֶֽךָ׃ בִּבְרִיתֽוֹ׃ בִבְרִ֜ית בַּבְּרִ֣ית בַּבְּרִֽית׃ בַבְּרִ֔ית בַבְּרִ֗ית בַבְּרִֽית׃ בברית בברית׃ בבריתו׃ בבריתי׃ בבריתך׃ ברית ברית־ ברית׃ בריתו בריתו׃ בריתי בריתי׃ בריתך בריתך׃ בריתכם ברתי הַבְּרִ֑ית הַבְּרִ֔ית הַבְּרִ֖ית הַבְּרִ֗ית הַבְּרִ֜ית הַבְּרִ֡ית הַבְּרִ֣ית הַבְּרִ֣ית ׀ הַבְּרִ֥ית הַבְּרִֽית׃ הַבְּרִית֙ הַבְּרִית֮ הַבְּרִית־ הברית הברית־ הברית׃ וְהַבְּרִ֛ית וּ֝בְרִית֗וֹ וּ֝בְרִיתִ֗י וּבְרִ֤ית וּבְרִ֥ית וּבְרִֽיתְךָ֖ וּבְרִית֙ וּבְרִיתִ֖י וברית ובריתו ובריתי ובריתך והברית כִּבְרִ֥ית כַבְּרִ֗ית כברית לִבְרִ֣ית לִבְרִ֥ית לַבְּרִ֑ית לברית מִבְּרִיתֵֽךְ׃ מבריתך׃ bab·bə·rîṯ ḇab·bə·rîṯ babbeRit babbərîṯ ḇabbərîṯ bə·rî·ṯe·ḵā bə·rî·ṯə·ḵā ḇə·rî·ṯe·ḵā ḇə·rî·ṯə·ḵā bə·rî·ṯə·ḵem bə·rî·ṯêḵ bə·ri·ṯî bə·rî·ṯî ḇə·rî·ṯî bə·rî·ṯōw ḇə·rî·ṯōw bə·rîṯ ḇə·rîṯ bə·rîṯ- ḇə·rîṯ- beRit bərîṯ ḇərîṯ bərîṯ- ḇərîṯ- beriTech beriteCha beriteChem bərîṯêḵ bərîṯeḵā bərîṯəḵā ḇərîṯeḵā ḇərîṯəḵā bərîṯəḵem beriTi bəriṯî bərîṯî ḇərîṯî beriTo bərîṯōw ḇərîṯōw biḇ·rî·ṯe·ḵā biḇ·rî·ṯî biḇ·rî·ṯōw biḇ·rîṯ ḇiḇ·rîṯ biḇrîṯ ḇiḇrîṯ biḇrîṯeḵā biḇrîṯî biḇrîṯōw bivRit bivriTecha bivriTi bivriTo chabbeRit hab·bə·rîṯ hab·bə·rîṯ- habbeRit habbərîṯ habbərîṯ- ḵab·bə·rîṯ ḵabbərîṯ kiḇ·rîṯ kiḇrîṯ kivRit lab·bə·rîṯ labbeRit labbərîṯ liḇ·rîṯ liḇrîṯ livRit mib·bə·rî·ṯêḵ mibberiTech mibbərîṯêḵ ū·ḇə·rî·ṯə·ḵā ū·ḇə·rî·ṯî ū·ḇə·rî·ṯōw ū·ḇə·rîṯ ūḇərîṯ ūḇərîṯəḵā ūḇərîṯî ūḇərîṯōw uveRit uveriteCha uveriTi uveriTo vabbeRit vehabbeRit verit veriteCha veriTi veriTo vivRit wə·hab·bə·rîṯ wəhabbərîṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts