Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and MeaningThe name "Beriah" is of Hebrew origin, and it is generally understood to mean "in trouble" or "a gift." This name appears in the Old Testament and is associated with several individuals, each playing a distinct role in the biblical narrative.
1. Beriah, Son of AsherBeriah is first mentioned as one of the sons of Asher, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, also known as Israel. Asher was the eighth son of Jacob, born to Zilpah, Leah's maidservant. Beriah is listed among the descendants of Asher in
Genesis 46:17: "The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and their sister Serah." Beriah's lineage is further detailed in
1 Chronicles 7:30-31, where his sons Heber and Malchiel are mentioned. The tribe of Asher, including Beriah's descendants, was known for its prosperity and abundance, as reflected in Jacob's blessing in
Genesis 49:20: "Asher’s food will be rich; he will provide royal delicacies."
2. Beriah, Son of EphraimAnother Beriah is noted as a son of Ephraim, the son of Joseph. This Beriah is mentioned in the context of a tragic event. In
1 Chronicles 7:20-23, it is recorded that Ephraim's sons Ezer and Elead were killed by the men of Gath when they went down to seize their livestock. Ephraim mourned for them, and afterward, he had another son, whom he named Beriah, "because tragedy had come upon his house" (
1 Chronicles 7:23). This naming reflects the sorrow and trouble that had befallen Ephraim's family.
3. Beriah, a Benjamite LeaderA third mention of Beriah is found in the genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin. In
1 Chronicles 8:13-16, Beriah is listed as a leader among the Benjamites who lived in Aijalon and drove out the inhabitants of Gath. This Beriah is noted for his military prowess and leadership, contributing to the defense and expansion of the Benjamite territory.
4. Beriah, a LeviteIn
1 Chronicles 23:10-11, Beriah is mentioned as a Levite, a descendant of Levi through his son Shimei. This Beriah, along with his brother Jeush, did not have many sons, and therefore, they were counted as a single family unit in the Levitical genealogies. The Levites were set apart for religious duties and service in the tabernacle, and later the temple, playing a crucial role in the spiritual life of Israel.
Significance in Biblical NarrativeThe individuals named Beriah in the Bible are associated with different tribes and roles, reflecting the diverse tapestry of Israel's history. From the sorrowful circumstances surrounding the birth of Ephraim's son to the leadership displayed by the Benjamite Beriah, each occurrence of the name highlights different aspects of Israel's journey and God's providence in their lives. The name Beriah, meaning "in trouble," often underscores the challenges faced by these individuals and their families, yet it also points to the resilience and continuity of God's people through adversity.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Beriahin fellowship; in envy
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Beriah(in evil, or a gift).
- A son of Asher. (Genesis 46:17;Numbers 26:44,45)
- A son of Ephraim. (1 Chronicles 7:20-23)
- A Benjamite. (1 Chronicles 8:13,16)
- A Levite. (1 Chronicles 23:10,11)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A gift, or in evil.
(1.) One of Asher's four sons, and father of Heber (Genesis 46:17).
(2.) A son of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:20-23), born after the slaughter of his brothers, and so called by his father "because it went evil with his house" at that time.
(3.) A Benjamite who with his brother Shema founded Ajalon and expelled the Gittites (1 Chronicles 8:13).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BERIAH; BERIITESbe-ri'-a, be-ri'-its (beri`ah, "in shouting," probably derived from a Hebrew root meaning "to make noise," or "in evil," from another Hebrew root):
(1) A son of Asher and father of Heber and Malchiel (Genesis 46:171 Chronicles 7:30, 31; the head of the family of the Beriites,Numbers 26:44).
(2) A son of Ephraim, called Beriah by his father because "it went evil with his house" (1 Chronicles 7:23).
(3) A descendant of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:13, 16).
(4) A Levite in the line of Gershon (1 Chronicles 23:10 f).
Strong's Hebrew
1283.Beriah -- four Israelites... 1282, 1283.
Beriah. 1284 . four Israelites. Transliteration:
Beriah Phonetic
Spelling: (ber-ee'-aw) Short Definition:
Beriah.
... NASB Word Usage
Beriah (11).
...1278.beriah -- a creation, thing created
... 1277, 1278.beriah. 1279 . a creation, thing created. Transliteration:beriah
Phonetic Spelling: (ber-ee-aw') Short Definition: thing....beriah. 1279 ....
1284. Berii -- descendant ofBeriah
... Berii. 1285 . descendant ofBeriah. Transliteration: Berii Phonetic Spelling:
(ber-ee-ee') Short Definition: Beriites. Word Origin fromBeriah Definition desc...
Library
Chapter xlvi
... And the sons of Asher: Imnah and Ishvah and Ishvi andBeriah; and Serah was
their sister. And the sons ofBeriah: Heber and Malchiel....
The Book of Jubilees
... Jacob's family that came into Egypt are not materially lightened by the statements
of our book, which, omitting the two sons of Pharez and ofBeriah (Genesis 46...
Thesaurus
Beriah (10 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BERIAH; BERIITES.
... (2) A son of Ephraim, called
Beriah by his father because "it went evil with his house" (1 Chronicles 7:23).
...Beri'ah (10 Occurrences)
Beri'ah.Beriah, Beri'ah. Beriite . Multi-Version Concordance Beri'ah
(10 Occurrences). Genesis 46:17 And the sons of Asher: Imnah...
Heber (13 Occurrences)
... Passing over. (1.) Son ofBeriah and grandson of Asher (Genesis 46:17; 1
Chronicles 7:31, 32).... The sons ofBeriah: Heber and Malchiel....
Jimnah (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 46:17 And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, andBeriah, and
Serah their sister: and the sons ofBeriah; Heber, and Malchiel....
Jishvi (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 46:17 And the sons of Asher: Jimnah, and Jishvah, and Jishvi, andBeriah;
and Serah their sister; and the sons ofBeriah: Heber and Malchiel. (DBY)....
Ishvi (4 Occurrences)
... Ishvi (4 Occurrences). Genesis 46:17 The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi,Beriah,
and Serah their sister. The sons ofBeriah: Heber and Malchiel....
Imnah (4 Occurrences)
... Imnah (4 Occurrences). Genesis 46:17 The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi,Beriah,
and Serah their sister. The sons ofBeriah: Heber and Malchiel....
Mal'chi-el (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 46:17 And the sons of Asher: Imnah, and Ishvah, and Ishvi, andBeriah, and
Serah their sister; and the sons ofBeriah: Heber, and Malchiel. (See RSV)....
Malkiel (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 46:17 And the sons of Asher: Imnah, and Ishvah, and Ishvi, andBeriah, and
Serah their sister; and the sons ofBeriah: Heber, and Malchiel. (See NIV)....
Jishvah (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 46:17 And the sons of Asher: Jimnah, and Jishvah, and Jishvi, andBeriah;
and Serah their sister; and the sons ofBeriah: Heber and Malchiel. (DBY)....
Resources
What can we learn from the tribe of Asher? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Asher in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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