בִּרְיָה (bir.yah)

bir.yah

food

H1279 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 3 verses

H:N-F

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 3 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: H:N-F

Word Overview

The Hebrew noun biryah is a rare word that simply means food or provisions. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, making it one of the less common terms for sustenance in Scripture. In each instance, it refers to physical nourishment provided to people, particularly in contexts of royal service or military supply.

The word occurs in 2 Samuel 17:28-29, where the people of Bahurim bring beds, bowls, and various foods to David’s exhausted troops. Here, biryah is listed alongside other essential items like wheat and barley, emphasizing its role as basic sustenance for those on campaign. The term does not carry metaphorical or spiritual connotations in these passages; it denotes literal, physical food necessary for survival.

Its rarity suggests that biblical writers preferred other words like lechem (bread) or okhel (food) for most discussions of nourishment. Biryah appears only in narrative contexts describing the provision of supplies, never in wisdom literature or prophetic texts. This limited usage keeps its meaning straightforward and concrete, focused on the practical reality of feeding people in times of need.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word biryah appears in Scripture simply as food or provisions, highlighting the basic human need for sustenance. In 2 Samuel 13:5, it is mentioned in a request for Amnon to eat from Tamar’s hand. This specific instance reveals how everyday acts of sharing meals can become entangled with complex family dynamics and personal desires.

While biryah itself carries no deep spiritual metaphor, its presence in these narratives reminds us that physical care is a real part of our lives. The Bible does not shy away from showing how food is prepared and shared, even when those moments are fraught with tension or hidden motives. It grounds the text in the reality of daily life.

As you read through these accounts, consider how your own meals and provisions connect you to others. Whether in times of joy or difficulty, the act of providing for someone’s physical needs remains a tangible expression of care. This simple word points to the practical ways we support one another in our communities.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

the/ food3×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

הַ/בִּרְיָה֙1×
הַ/בִּרְיָֽה\׃1×
הַ/בִּרְיָ֔ה1×

Key Verses

II Samuel 13:5
Jonadab said to him, “Lay down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, ‘Please let my sister Tamar come and give me bread to eat, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand.’”

This verse uses biryah in Amnon’s deceptive request, showing how the provision of food is manipulated for personal gratification rather than genuine care.
II Samuel 13:7
Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.”

Here David commands Tamar to prepare biryah, illustrating the expectation that family members provide sustenance for one another despite underlying tensions.
II Samuel 13:10
Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the room, that I may eat from your hand.” Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the room to Amnon her brother.

Amnon asks for the food to be brought into the room so he can eat it from Tamar’s hand, emphasizing the intimate yet problematic nature of this shared meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does biryah mean in the Bible?

Biryah is a Hebrew noun that simply means food or provisions. It appears only three times in the Old Testament, always referring to physical sustenance needed for survival or daily life.

Where does biryah appear in Scripture?

It occurs exclusively in 2 Samuel 13:5, 7, and 10. These verses describe the preparation and serving of food within Amnon’s family, highlighting its role in narrative contexts rather than theological teaching.

Is biryah used metaphorically in the Bible?

No, biryah is never used metaphorically or spiritually. It always denotes literal, physical food necessary for nourishment, unlike other Hebrew words that might symbolize spiritual truth.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

II Samuel 3 verses

II Samuel 13:5

Jonadab said to him, “Lay down on your bed and pretend to be sick. When your father comes to see you, tell him, ‘Please…

II Samuel 13:7

Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, “Go now to your brother Amnon’s house, and prepare food for him.”

II Samuel 13:10

Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food into the room, that I may eat from your hand.” Tamar took the cakes which she had…