בֵּית בָּרָה (bet ba.rah)
bet ba.rah
Beth-barah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Beth-barah translates to "house of the ford," identifying a specific crossing point on the Jordan River mentioned in Judges 7:24. As a proper noun, it denotes a strategic location where the river could be navigated, serving as a geographical marker for military movements during the time of Gideon.
Lexical sources note that this site is also referred to as Bēthabara or Bethany in some textual traditions, linking it to other known locations with similar names. The term highlights the practical importance of river crossings in ancient Israelite geography, where controlling a "house" or station at a ford meant controlling access and movement across the water.
While the word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, its meaning is clear from its components: bet ("house") and barah ("ford"). This concise reference underscores how place names often described physical features, anchoring biblical narratives in tangible, real-world landscapes that readers can visualize.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Beth-barah means "house of the ford." It was a strategic crossing point on the Jordan River where Gideon directed his troops to block the enemy's escape (Judges 7:24). This name reminds us that God often uses ordinary places for extraordinary purposes. A simple river crossing became the key to victory.
In our own lives, we face many "crossings"—moments of transition or decision. Like the men of Ephraim who secured the waters, we are called to be watchful and ready. God provides the means for us to navigate these challenges with wisdom and courage.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Beth2×
- Barah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בָּרָ֖ה2×
- בֵּ֥ית2×
Key Verses
-
Judges 7:24
Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against Midian and take the waters before them as far as Beth Barah, even the Jordan!” So all the men of Ephraim were gathered together and took the waters as far as Beth Barah, even the Jordan.
This verse shows Beth-barah as a tactical location where Gideon ordered his men to intercept the fleeing Midianites at the Jordan River.