Baal-Berith

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

 Judges 8:33; Jdg 9:4 This dunghill god was made the idol of the children of Israel, after the death of Gideon. The name Berith means the Lord of the covenant. But what covenant? Was Israel so far gone in idolatry, as not only to set up an idol, but to insult Jehovah in his gracious covenant? To what an awful state is our nature reduced by the fall! Into what an awful apostacy may, and will, every man sink, void of grace! Reader, turn to that sweet covenant promine,  Jeremiah 32:40.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Baal-Berith (‘lord of the covenant’). The god of Shechem, where he had a temple (  Judges 8:33;   Judges 9:4 ); called also El-berith (  Judges 9:46 ). The ‘covenant’ may be that amongst the Canaanite peoples or that between Canaanltes and Israelites; or the title may be parallel to Zeus Horkios , the god who presides over covenants.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

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.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Judges 8:33 9:4 Exodus 34:12

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Judges 8:33Shechem

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

bā - al - bē´rith בּעל בּרית , ba‛al berı̄th = "Baal of the Covenant"): An idol worshipped by the Shechemites after Gideon's death ( Judges 8:33 ), as protector and guardian of engagements. His temple is also referred to in  Judges 9:4 . See Baal . (1).

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

is a person who, among modern Jews, acts as joint master of ceremonies along with the operator in the rite of circumcision (q.v.). He is to hold the child on his knees-while the circumciser is performing the operation. As a preparation for his duty. he must wash his whole person.