בְּרִיעִי (be.ri.i)
be.ri.i
Beriite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The term be.ri.i functions as a gentilic adjective, identifying members of the family line descended from Beriah within the tribe of Asher. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, serving as a collective noun for this specific clan in Numbers 26:44 during the census taken in the wilderness.
Its meaning is tied directly to its root, Beriah (H1283). The sources note that the name Beriah translates to "in evil," reflecting a somber etymology. Despite this negative literal sense, the term itself carries no moral judgment; it simply marks tribal lineage and genealogical identity in the biblical record.
Translators typically render this word as "Beriites" to distinguish the group from its ancestor. The occurrence highlights how biblical texts preserve specific family divisions, ensuring that even clans with difficult names are accounted for in the history of Israel’s tribes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Beriite appears just once in Scripture, marking a small branch of Asher’s family line during Israel’s wilderness journey. Its root carries a somber meaning, yet the text itself offers no moral judgment. Instead, it simply records who belonged to whom, preserving identity across generations.
This single mention reminds us that God keeps detailed records of every family and clan, even those with names that sound difficult or negative. In Numbers 26:44, the Beriites are listed alongside others, showing that each group had a place in the community of Israel.
For believers today, this word speaks to the value of being known by name. God does not overlook any part of His people’s history. Whether your family story includes joy or hardship, you are accounted for in His narrative. This assurance invites us to trust that our own lives, with all their complexities, are held securely in His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Beriahite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/בְּרִיעִֽי\׃1×
Key Verses
-
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.
This verse identifies the Beriites as a specific family group descending from Beriah within the tribe of Asher during the wilderness census.