בִּרְשַׁע (bir.sah)
bir.sah
Birsha
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Birsha is a proper name found exclusively in Genesis 14:2, where he is identified as the king of Gomorrah during the time of the Patriarchs. The text lists him among five regional rulers who joined forces against four others, placing him at the center of a significant historical conflict described in the early chapters of Genesis.
The meaning of the name has traditionally been interpreted as "with iniquity" or "wickedness," a translation that aligns with Gomorrah’s later reputation for moral corruption. While the exact etymology remains uncertain, this linguistic connection reinforces the narrative portrayal of his city and its leadership as deeply opposed to righteous conduct.
His brief appearance serves primarily to personify the antagonistic forces against which Abram’s small force triumphed. By naming him alongside kings like Adoni-zedek and Tidal, the biblical text highlights specific political actors in a regional war, grounding the story of Abram’s rescue of Lot in concrete historical geography rather than abstract conflict.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Birsha appears in Genesis 14:2 as the king of Gomorrah. This brief mention places him at the center of a regional conflict involving five kings who fought against four others. The text uses his name to ground the story of Abram’s rescue of Lot in real historical geography, showing that spiritual lessons often unfold within actual political events.
While the name itself carries associations with wickedness, its primary function here is narrative. It identifies a specific leader opposing righteous conduct, highlighting the contrast between the corrupt city and the faith of Abram. This historical detail reminds us that God’s people have always navigated complex social landscapes, relying on divine intervention rather than human strength.
Understanding this context helps us see how Scripture uses names to convey deeper truths about character and consequence. The story encourages believers to trust in God’s protection even when surrounded by hostile forces, knowing that justice ultimately prevails through His power.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Birsha1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בִּרְשַׁ֖ע1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 14:2
they made war with Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).
This verse identifies Birsha as the king of Gomorrah and lists him among the five kings who joined forces against four others, establishing his role in the historical conflict.