What does כָּרַת · עִם mean in the Bible?
e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces)".
Hebrew · H3772, H5973
כָּרַת עִמָּם
To cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume ; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces) · adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with ; often with prepositional prefix (and then usually unrepresented in English)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
כָּרַת H3772 to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume ; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces)
Pronunciation karat
Covenant-making through cutting; the ritual severing of flesh ratifies binding obligation before God.
Open lexicon entry →
עִם H5973 adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with ; often with prepositional prefix (and then usually unrepresented in English)
Pronunciation ʿim
Expresses relational presence and association; foundational for covenant language denoting standing-with or togetherness with God.
Open lexicon entry →
What does כָּרַת עִמָּם (karat immam) mean in the Bible?
כָּרַת · עִם is a Hebrew phrase meaning "to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume ; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces)".
Full entry for כָּרַת עִמָּם (H3772, H5973) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H3772, H5973?
H3772, H5973 is connected to 1,339 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume ; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces)
Source Gloss
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume ; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces)
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 5 Aligned forms 132
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 43×
Imperfect 1Kgs 2:4 · 1Kgs 8:25 · 1Kgs 9:5 · 2Chr 6:16 · 2Chr 7:18 · Dan 9:26 · Gen 9:11 · Hos 8:4 · Isa 48:19 · Isa 55:13 · Isa 56:5 · Jer 33:17 · Jer 33:18 · Jer 35:19 · Job 14:7 · Josh 9:23 32×
Perfect Joel 1:5 · Joel 1:16 · Nah 2:1 · Ps 37:28 · Josh 3:16 · Josh 4:7 · Zeph 1:11 · Ps 37:38 9×
Jussive 2Sam 3:29 1×
Infinitive absolute Num 15:31 1×
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 67×
Perfect 1Chr 16:16 · 1Kgs 8:9 · 1Kgs 8:21 · 1Sam 24:6 · 2Chr 5:10 · 2Chr 6:11 · 2Chr 21:7 · 2Kgs 17:15 · Deut 4:23 · Deut 5:2 · Deut 5:3 · Deut 9:9 · Deut 28:69 · Deut 29:24 · Exod 24:8 · Gen 15:18 35×
Imperfect 1Sam 11:2 · 2Sam 3:13 · Isa 61:8 · Jer 31:33 · Josh 9:7 · Deut 7:2 · Deut 20:19 · Exod 23:32 · Exod 34:12 · Exod 34:15 · Judg 6:26 · Hos 12:2 · Ps 83:6 · 2Chr 2:15 · Judg 2:2 16×
Participle active Deut 29:11 · Deut 29:13 · Exod 34:10 · Neh 10:1 · Ps 50:5 5×
Sequential imperfect Jer 6:6 · Jer 50:16 · Josh 9:6 · Josh 9:11 · 1Sam 11:1 5×
Cohortative Ezra 10:3 · Gen 31:44 2×
Participle passive 1Sam 5:4 1×
Infinitive absolute Hos 10:4 1×
Infinitive construct Jer 34:8 1×
Jussive Judg 6:25 1×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 19×
Imperfect 1Kgs 14:14 · Deut 12:29 · Deut 19:1 · 1Sam 2:33 · Nah 1:14 · Zech 13:2 · 1Sam 20:15 · 1Sam 24:22 · 1Kgs 18:5 9×
Perfect Ezek 21:9 · Josh 23:4 · Zeph 3:6 · 1Kgs 11:16 · 1Sam 28:9 · Judg 4:24 6×
Jussive Mal 2:12 · Ps 12:4 · Num 4:18 3×
Infinitive construct Jer 44:8 1×
Pual intensive passive — intensive action received by the subject 2×
Perfect Ezek 16:4 · Judg 6:28 2×
Hophal causative passive — the subject is caused to perform the action 1×
Perfect Joel 1:9 1×
Word Origins
כָּרַת עִמָּם is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain