Baal-Berith
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Baal-Berith in the Bible?
Baal-berith was a deity worshipped by the inhabitants of Shechem, particularly following the death of the judge Gideon, and was associated with the sanctity of covenants and treaties.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Baal-berith clarifies the political and religious tensions in Judges 9, where the Shechemites' loyalty shifts from Gideon's lineage to this local deity, highlighting the syncretism and covenantal conflicts central to the narrative.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Baal-Berith. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Baal-Berith in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Baal-Berith clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Baal-Berith." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/baalberith/