Beriah

At a Glance

Beriah is a Hebrew proper name applied to several Old Testament individuals, not a theological concept.

Key Points

• Appears in Old Testament genealogies and family records.
• At least one Beriah is associated with Ephraim, and others with Asher and Benjamin.
• The entry is best treated as a biblical name, not a doctrine term.

Description

Beriah is a Hebrew personal name borne by more than one individual in the Old Testament. The name appears in genealogical and tribal contexts, including a Beriah associated with Ephraim in 1 Chronicles 7 and other men listed among the descendants of Asher and Benjamin. Because Scripture uses the same name for multiple persons, any treatment of Beriah should distinguish the referents rather than treat the term as a doctrinal concept. The entry belongs in the category of biblical proper names and can serve as a concise index to the relevant family records.

Biblical Context

Beriah appears in Old Testament genealogies, where names often preserve family lines, tribal identity, and covenant history. One Beriah is connected with Ephraim, while other references place the name among the descendants of Asher and Benjamin.

Historical Context

In ancient Israel, genealogies recorded lineage, inheritance, and tribal belonging. A name such as Beriah may occur more than once across different family lines, which is common in biblical records.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Jewish genealogical lists preserved names for tribal memory and covenant identity. Multiple men sharing the same name would not be unusual, especially in clan-based records.

Primary Key Texts

• Genesis 46:17
• 1 Chronicles 7:20–23
• 1 Chronicles 7:30–31
• 1 Chronicles 8:13, 16

Secondary Key Texts

• 1 Chronicles 7:23

Original Language Note

The name is Hebrew and is often associated with the idea of calamity or misfortune, though the exact etymology should be handled cautiously.

Theological Significance

Beriah has no direct doctrinal meaning, but it illustrates the importance of genealogies in preserving covenant history, tribal identity, and the Bible’s historical witness.

Philosophical Explanation

As a proper name, Beriah shows that Scripture is not merely abstract teaching but also concrete historical record. Individual names matter because they locate people within real families, tribes, and events.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not assume every biblical occurrence of Beriah refers to the same person. The name is shared by multiple individuals, so context must determine identification. Also avoid building doctrine from the name’s possible meaning.

Major Views

There is no major doctrinal debate about Beriah itself. The main editorial issue is identifying which biblical person is in view in each passage.

Doctrinal Boundaries

Beriah is not a doctrinal category, spiritual office, or theological concept. It should be treated as a biblical proper name used in genealogical contexts.

Practical Significance

This entry reminds readers that even brief genealogical notices in Scripture contribute to the Bible’s historical reliability and to the tracing of God’s covenant people.

Related Entries

• Ephraim
• Asher
• Benjamin
• Genealogy
• Chronicles

See Also

• Biblical names
• Old Testament genealogies
• 1 Chronicles