בַּעֲרָא (ba.a.ra)
ba.a.ra
Baara
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
Baara is a proper name for a woman from the tribe of Benjamin, recorded only once in Scripture at 1 Chronicles 8:8. She appears as one of the wives of Shaharaim, a figure listed in the genealogies that trace the lineage of this northern tribe during the period of the Divided Monarchy.
The name itself carries a meaning often translated as "brutish" or "foolish." In biblical onomastics, such seemingly negative descriptors were sometimes chosen ironically or to reflect a specific family characteristic. Her inclusion in the text serves primarily to preserve the identity of Benjaminite families within the broader historical record of Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Names in Scripture often carry weight beyond simple identification. The name Baara, appearing only once in the Bible, is linked to the tribe of Benjamin and means "brutish" or "foolish." In ancient naming practices, such terms were sometimes used ironically or to highlight a specific family trait, reminding us that human labels do not define our worth before God.
Her brief mention alongside her husband Shaharaim in 1 Chronicles 8:8 preserves the history of a family line during a complex period of Israel's divided monarchy. This record shows that every individual, regardless of their name's meaning, is part of God's larger story. It invites us to look past surface appearances and recognize the dignity inherent in each person created by Him.
Understanding these genealogical details helps us see the care God takes in preserving history. We are encouraged to find comfort in knowing that our lives, like those recorded in Scripture, matter to Him. This perspective fosters a sense of belonging and value that transcends human judgment or naming conventions.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Baara1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַּעֲרָ֖א1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 8:8
Shaharaim became the father of children in the field of Moab, after he had sent them away. Hushim and Baara were his wives.
This verse identifies Baara as one of Shaharaim's wives, preserving her name within the Benjaminite lineage despite the brevity of the record.