בְּרִיעָה (be.ri.ah)
be.ri.ah
Beriah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Beriah, meaning "with a friend" or "in association," appears ten times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within genealogical records in Genesis, Numbers, and 1 Chronicles. It is most prominently attached to a son of Asher, one of Jacob’s twelve sons, who led his family into Egypt (Genesis 46:17). This same individual is listed again in the census of the wilderness generation (Numbers 26:44), where his clan is identified as the Beriites.
While the name shares an etymological root with other figures, it specifically denotes a son of Asher in these primary contexts. The sources also note that the name appears for individuals from the tribes of Ephraim and Benjamin, as well as a Levite, suggesting it was a recognizable personal name among Israel’s families. The variation "Beriite" (H1284) refers to the descendants or clan members associated with this patriarch.
Translators typically render Beriah simply as a proper name, preserving its identity within the lineage of Asher. The occurrence of the name in both the initial family list entering Egypt and the later census highlights the continuity of the tribe through the wilderness years. Its presence in Chronicles further confirms the historical tracking of this branch of Asher’s descendants.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Beriah appears primarily in genealogical records, linking individuals to the tribes of Asher, Ephraim, and Benjamin. While some traditions associate it with 'trouble' due to a specific etymological explanation in Chronicles, its root meaning often points to association or being born into a community. These lists remind us that God knows each person by name and tracks their lineage with care.
In Genesis 46:17, Beriah is listed among the sons of Asher who entered Egypt, showing how families moved together through history. This continuity suggests that our own lives are part of a larger story where God preserves His people across generations. We are not isolated; we belong to a community and a divine narrative.
Seeing these names in Scripture can encourage us when we feel forgotten or insignificant. Every name recorded was known to God long before it was written down. Your identity is secure in Him, regardless of how small your role may seem today. Rest in the knowledge that you are seen and valued by your Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Beriah5×
- Beriah5×
- of/ Beriah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְרִיעָ֔ה3×
- וּ/בְרִיעָ֖ה2×
- לִ/בְרִיעָ֕ה1×
- וּ/בְרִעָ֣ה1×
- וּ/בְרִיעָה֙1×
- וּ/בְרִיעָ֑ה1×
- בְּרִיעָ֔ה1×
- בְרִיעָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 46:17
The sons of Asher: Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, Beriah, and Serah their sister. The sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel.
This verse lists Beriah as a son of Asher entering Egypt, establishing his role in the foundational migration of the tribe.
-
Numbers 26:44
The sons of Asher after their families: of Imnah, the family of the Imnites; of Ishvi, the family of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the family of the Berites.
Here the family of Beriah is counted in the wilderness census, showing the tribe's survival and growth during the journey.
-
I Chronicles 7:23
He went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son, and he named him Beriah, because there was trouble with his house.
This passage provides a unique etymological explanation for the name, linking it to 'trouble' in the household context.