בְּאֵרִי (be.e.ri)
be.e.ri
Beeri
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Beeri is a proper name meaning “my well,” appearing in only two verses of Scripture. In Genesis, it identifies a Hittite man who married Anah and became the father of Judith. He is notable primarily as Esau’s father-in-law, linking the patriarchal family to local Canaanite clans (Genesis 26:34).
The name appears again in Hosea 1:1, where it identifies the father of the prophet Hosea. While the text does not elaborate on his life, the meaning “my well” offers a quiet contrast to the spiritual droughts addressed in Hosea’s ministry. The repetition of this rare name across generations suggests a small but persistent family line within Israel’s history.
Though minor in narrative presence, Beeri’s inclusion highlights how ordinary names carry theological weight. Wells were vital in ancient Near Eastern life, symbolizing sustenance and covenant stability. By naming his son Beeri, the prophet’s father may have affirmed trust in God’s provision amid a time of national unfaithfulness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Beeri means "my well," a simple phrase that carries deep weight in Scripture. Wells were not just water sources but symbols of life, stability, and God’s provision in the ancient Near East. When we encounter this name, it reminds us that even ordinary family lines play a role in God’s larger story.
In Genesis, Beeri connects Esau to local Canaanite clans through his daughter Judith. This link shows how patriarchal families intertwined with surrounding peoples, shaping the complex history of Israel. Though Beeri himself is not a central character, his presence highlights how God works through diverse relationships and generations.
Later, Hosea’s father bears the same name during a time of national unfaithfulness. Naming a child "my well" in such a context may have been an act of trust, affirming that God remains a source of life even when people stray. This quiet hope invites us to reflect on where we find our sustenance and how we can point others to it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Beeri2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּאֵרִ֖י1×
- בְּאֵרִ֔י1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 26:34
When Esau was forty years old, he took as wife Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite.
This verse identifies Beeri as the Hittite father of Judith, Esau’s wife, showing his role in linking patriarchal families with local clans.
-
Hosea 1:1
Yahweh’s word that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Here, Beeri is named as the father of the prophet Hosea, anchoring the ministry in a specific historical moment and family lineage.