בְּרָכָה (be.ra.khah)
be.ra.khah
Beracah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The noun beracah primarily signifies a blessing, representing a bestowal of favor or well-being. In the Old Testament, this concept appears in specific historical contexts that illustrate its weight. For instance, it describes the gathering at the Valley of Beracah near Tekoa, where King Jehoshaphat and his people assembled to praise God after their victory over the Moabites (2 Chronicles 20:26). The name itself, meaning "blessing," reflects the community's response to divine deliverance.
Beyond this geographical reference, beracah also functions as a personal name. It identifies a Benjamite warrior who served in King David’s elite band of mighty men (1 Chronicles 12:3). In this instance, the name likely serves as a descriptive title or honorific, echoing the meaning of "blessing" rather than functioning merely as a label. This dual usage highlights how the concept permeated both public worship and personal identity during the United Monarchy.
The word’s occurrence is rare, appearing in only two verses within the Chronicler’s works. Its limited presence underscores its specific application to moments of significant divine intervention or notable individuals. Translators consistently render it as "blessing," preserving the link between the act of praising God and the resulting favor experienced by the people.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word beracah carries a rich weight in Scripture, appearing not just as an abstract concept but as a tangible reality in specific moments of divine intervention. In 2 Chronicles 20:26, it names the Valley of Beracah, a place where King Jehoshaphat and his people gathered to praise God after a overwhelming victory. The location itself became a memorial to their experience, marking the spot where they blessed Yahweh for His deliverance.
This term also appears in 1 Chronicles 12:3 as the name of a warrior in David’s mighty men. Here, beracah functions as a personal identifier, suggesting that the concept of blessing was woven into the very identity of those who served God with courage and loyalty. It reminds us that blessings are not only received but can also characterize the lives of those who stand firm in their faith.
Understanding beracah invites us to see how God’s favor marks both our collective worship and individual service. Whether in a valley named for praise or in the life of a devoted servant, this word points to the enduring impact of recognizing God’s goodness. May we find our own places of blessing as we seek to honor Him in all we do.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Berachah2×
- and/ Berachah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/בְרָכָ֕ה1×
- בְּרָכָ֖ה1×
- בְּרָכָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 20:26
On the fourth day, they assembled themselves in Beracah Valley, for there they blessed Yahweh. Therefore the name of that place was called “Beracah Valley” to this day.
This verse establishes the geographical significance of the term, naming the Valley of Beracah as a permanent memorial to the community's act of blessing God after divine victory.
-
I Chronicles 12:3
The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Beracah; Jehu the Anathothite;
Here the word appears as a personal name for a warrior, illustrating how the concept of blessing was integrated into the identity of David’s elite military leaders.