בְּרִית
Brit
Covenant, pact, agreement
Brit (בְּרִית) is a Hebrew word meaning “covenant, pact, agreement,” pronounced “BREET.” Derived from the root ב-ר-ת, brit appears 287 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H1285).
| Hebrew | בְּרִית |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Brit |
| Pronunciation | BREET |
| Meaning | Covenant, pact, agreement |
| Root Letters | ב-ר-ת |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 287× |
| Key Verse | Genesis 15:18 |
| Strong's Number | H1285 |
| Category | Covenant & Theology |
The entire Bible is structured around one Hebrew word that most Christians never study deeply: brit (בְּרִית), covenant. Your Bible is literally divided into the Old Covenant and the New Covenant — old and new brit. When God chose Abraham in Genesis 15, He didn't simply make a promise; He 'cut a covenant' (karat brit). The Hebrew verb is striking: covenants are not made, they are cut — because the ancient ceremony involved cutting animals in half and walking between the pieces, a visceral pledge that said, 'May I become like these animals if I break this oath.' But in Genesis 15, something astonishing happens: God alone passes between the pieces while Abraham sleeps. God shoulders the entire covenant obligation Himself. This is the gospel hidden in the Hebrew Bible — a covenant so secure that it depends entirely on God's faithfulness, not ours. From the Noahic covenant marked by the rainbow, to the Abrahamic covenant sealed in circumcision (brit milah), to the Mosaic covenant at Sinai, to the Davidic covenant promising an eternal throne, and finally to the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah and fulfilled in Jesus — brit is the golden thread that holds the entire biblical narrative together.
Key Bible Verse: Genesis 15:18
“On that day the LORD made a covenant (brit) with Abram, saying, 'To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.'”
What Is the Root of Brit in Hebrew?
Brit likely derives from a root meaning 'to cut' (ב-ר-ת), reflecting the ancient practice of cutting animals to ratify a covenant. Some scholars connect it to the Akkadian 'birtu' (fetter/bond). The phrase 'karat brit' (to cut a covenant) preserved this visceral origin throughout the biblical period.
What Does Brit Mean in the Bible?
Brit appears 287 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes God's covenants with Noah (Genesis 9:9), Abraham (Genesis 15:18; 17:2), Israel at Sinai (Exodus 24:7-8), David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), and the promised new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Brit milah (circumcision) in Genesis 17 is the physical sign of the Abrahamic covenant.
How Is Brit Used in Modern Hebrew?
Brit milah (circumcision) remains one of the most widely observed Jewish practices, even among secular Israelis. The ceremony on the eighth day includes a 'sandek' (godfather) who holds the baby. The phrase 'b'nei brit' (children of the covenant) is a way Jewish people refer to themselves collectively.
How to Use Brit in Prayer & Worship
Thank God that your relationship with Him rests on covenant — not on your performance but on His unbreakable promise. Just as God alone walked between the pieces for Abraham, Jesus alone bore the penalty for your covenant-breaking. Rest in the security of brit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brit
How do you say “Covenant” in Hebrew?
“Covenant” in Hebrew is Brit (בְּרִית), pronounced “BREET.” Brit likely derives from a root meaning 'to cut' (ב-ר-ת), reflecting the ancient practice of cutting animals to ratify a covenant. Some scholars connect it to the Akkadian 'birtu' (fetter/bond). The phrase 'karat brit' (to cut a covenant) preserved this visceral origin throughout the biblical period.
What does Brit mean in the Bible?
Brit (בְּרִית) means “Covenant, pact, agreement” in Biblical Hebrew. Brit appears 287 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes God's covenants with Noah (Genesis 9:9), Abraham (Genesis 15:18; 17:2), Israel at Sinai (Exodus 24:7-8), David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), and the promised new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Brit milah (circumcision) in Genesis 17 is the physical sign of the Abrahamic covenant.
How do you pronounce Brit?
Brit is pronounced “BREET.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ב-ר-ת.
Why are covenants 'cut' in Hebrew?
The Hebrew phrase for making a covenant is 'karat brit' — literally 'to cut a covenant.' This reflects the ancient Near Eastern ceremony in Genesis 15 where animals were cut in half and the parties walked between them, pledging 'may this happen to me if I break my word.' God alone walked between the pieces while Abraham slept, signaling that He took full responsibility for keeping the covenant — a stunning foreshadowing of grace.
How many covenants are in the Bible?
Theologians typically identify five major covenants: the Noahic covenant with all creation (Genesis 9), the Abrahamic covenant promising land, descendants, and blessing (Genesis 15; 17), the Mosaic/Sinai covenant giving the Torah (Exodus 19-24), the Davidic covenant promising an eternal throne (2 Samuel 7), and the New Covenant writing God's law on human hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Each builds upon the previous ones, revealing more of God's redemptive plan.
What is brit milah?
Brit milah (בְּרִית מִילָה) is the covenant of circumcision commanded in Genesis 17:10-14, performed on Jewish boys on the eighth day of life. It is the physical sign of God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants. The ceremony includes blessings, naming the child, and a festive meal — making it both a medical procedure and a sacred covenant act.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H1285: Brit
- Bible Gateway — Genesis 15:18 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ב-ר-ת
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