Definition and Meaning:
El-berith, meaning "God of the Covenant," is a term found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. It refers to a deity worshiped by the people of Shechem, a city in ancient Israel. The name itself combines "El," a common Semitic term for God, with "berith," meaning covenant or agreement.

Biblical References:
El-berith is mentioned in the context of the narrative concerning Abimelech, the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal). After Gideon's death, Abimelech sought to establish himself as king over Shechem and its surrounding areas. The people of Shechem supported him, and their allegiance is linked to their worship of El-berith.

In Judges 9:4, the Berean Standard Bible states: "They gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, and Abimelech used it to hire reckless scoundrels who became his followers." This passage indicates that the temple of Baal-berith, another name for El-berith, was a significant religious and cultural center in Shechem.

Later, in Judges 9:46, the BSB records: "On hearing this, all the leaders of the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith." This suggests that the temple served as a place of refuge and was integral to the city's leadership and religious practices.

Historical and Cultural Context:
The worship of El-berith in Shechem reflects the syncretistic religious practices of the Israelites during the period of the Judges. The Israelites often struggled with idolatry, blending the worship of Yahweh with that of local deities. The term "Baal-berith" is sometimes used interchangeably with El-berith, indicating a fusion of Canaanite and Israelite religious elements.

Shechem itself was a significant city in the central hill country of Canaan, known for its historical and religious importance. It was a city of refuge and a Levitical city, and it played a crucial role in the covenant renewal ceremonies of the Israelites, as seen in Joshua 24.

Theological Implications:
The mention of El-berith highlights the recurring theme of covenant in the Bible. While the Israelites were called to be in a covenant relationship with Yahweh, the God of Israel, the worship of El-berith represents a deviation from this exclusive relationship. It underscores the tension between faithfulness to Yahweh and the temptation to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations.

The narrative of Abimelech and the people of Shechem serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of forsaking the covenant with Yahweh. It illustrates the chaos and destruction that ensue when God's people turn to other gods and abandon their covenantal obligations.

Relevance for Today:
The account of El-berith serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant. For believers, it emphasizes the need to remain steadfast in their commitment to God, resisting the allure of modern-day idols and false gods. It calls for a return to the foundational principles of faith and obedience to God's Word, as exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.1285. berith -- a covenant
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a covenant NASB Word Usage allied (1),
allies* (1), covenant (275), covenants (1), El-berith* (1), league (2 ...
/hebrew/1285.htm - 6k

410. el -- God, in pl. gods
... gods NASB Word Usage El-berith* (1), God (204), god (16), God's (2), gods (3), helpless*
(1), mighty (3), Mighty One (3), power (1), strong (1). ...
/hebrew/410.htm - 6k

The Crowning of Abimelech
... with salt. And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard thereof,
they entered into the hold of the house of Elberith. And ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/iii the crowning of abimelech.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Abimelech then fought against the city and took it, but the chief citizens had taken
refuge in "the hold of the house of El-berith." "Abimelech gat him up to ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... like Baal-Zebub, only occurs, so far as we know at present, in the Hebrew Scriptures,
where, by the way, the first element, Baal, is changed to El, El-Berith. ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Elberith (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ELBERITH. el-be'-rith (Judges 9:46). See
BAAL-BERITH. Multi-Version Concordance Elberith (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/elberith.htm - 6k

El-berith (1 Occurrence)
El-berith. Elberith, El-berith. El-be'rith . Multi-Version Concordance ... (BBE
JPS NAS NIV). Elberith, El-berith. El-be'rith . Reference Bible.
/e/el-berith.htm - 6k

Zalmon (3 Occurrences)
... Zalmon, Abimelech and his followers gathered the wood with which they burned down
"the stronghold of the house of El-berith," which may have been the citadel ...
/z/zalmon.htm - 9k

Townsmen (18 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Judges 9:46 Then all the townsmen of the tower of Shechem, hearing of
it, went into the inner room of the house of El-berith. (BBE). ...
/t/townsmen.htm - 12k

Elation (1 Occurrence)

/e/elation.htm - 6k

El-be'rith (1 Occurrence)
El-be'rith. El-berith, El-be'rith. Elbethel . Multi-Version Concordance ... (DBY
RSV). El-berith, El-be'rith. Elbethel . Reference Bible.
/e/el-be'rith.htm - 6k

Berith (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:46 When all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered
into the stronghold of the house of Elberith. (Root ...
/b/berith.htm - 7k

Stronghold (68 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:46 When all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered into
the stronghold of the house of Elberith. (WEB ASV DBY RSV NIV). ...
/s/stronghold.htm - 25k

Citizens (28 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Judges 9:46 When all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they
entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith. (See NIV). ...
/c/citizens.htm - 15k

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