baal-berith Summary and Overview

covenant lord, the name of the god worshipped in Shechem after the death of Gideon (Judg. 8:33; 9:4). In 9:46 he is called simply "the god Berith." The name denotes the god of the covenant into which the Israelites entered with the Canaanites, contrary to the command of Jehovah (Ex. 34:12), when they began to fall away to the worship of idols.

Worshipped at Shechem by Israel after Gideon's death (Judges 8:33; Judges 9:4) "Baal in covenant", namely, with his worshippers; or perhaps a compromise, to combine Baal with the "covenant" of Jehovah.