BAAL-BERITH (bā'ăl-bĭr-īth, lord of covenant). A god Israel worshiped after Gideon’s death (Judg.8.33). Abimelech was given seventy pieces of silver from the temple of this god, and he used this money “to hire reckless adventurers, who became his followers” (Judg.9.4).

---

BAAL-BERITH bāl bĭr’ ĭth (בַּ֥עַל בְּרִ֖ית, Lord of covenant). A god worshiped by Israel after Gideon’s death (Judg 8:33). Abimelech, Gideon’s son, took seventy pieces of silver from the house of this god to hire followers in his time of rebellion (9:4). It is possible that the term is to be identified with El-berith (9:46). The meaning is prob. “the god who presides over covenants.” This would then be a god of the Canaanites living in the area of Shechem. The idol was undoubtedly worshiped by the Shechemites during and particularly after Gideon’s time.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

ba`al berith = ("Baal of the Covenant"): An idol worshipped by the Shechemites after Gideon’s death (Jud 8:33), as protector and guardian of engagements. His temple is also referred to in Jud 9:4. See Baal (1).