The Hebrew word Bêyth Birʼîy, represented by H1011, means house of a creative one. It is a proper name for a place in Palestine, transliterated as Bethbirei. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse within the entire biblical text.
The single appearance of Bethbirei H1011 is in a geographical list found in the book of Chronicles. The verse states, "And at Bethmarcaboth, and Hazarsusim, and at Bethbirei, and at Shaaraim. These were their cities unto the reign of David" 1 Chronicles 4:31. Here, it functions purely as a place name, listed alongside other locations like Bethmarcaboth H1024, Hazarsusim H2702, and Shaaraim H8189 to define a specific territory during a particular historical period.
Several related words appear in the same verse, providing context for the location of Bethbirei:
- H5892 ʻîyr: This word for city is used to categorize Bethbirei and the other places mentioned. The verse explicitly calls them "their cities" 1 Chronicles 4:31.
- H1024 Bêyth ham-Markâbôwth: Listed directly alongside Bethbirei, this name means "place of (the) chariots," suggesting a location with a specific strategic or functional purpose.
- H8189 Shaʻărayim: Another of the cities in the list, its name means "double gates" and appears elsewhere as a location in Palestine 1 Samuel 17:52.
- H4427 mâlak: This verb, meaning "to reign," establishes the time frame for this list of cities, connecting them to the era of a specific monarch.
- H1732 Dâvid: The name David identifies the king whose reign marks the period in which these locations were recognized as "their cities" 1 Chronicles 4:31.
While not theologically developed due to its single mention, the significance of H1011 can be seen in its name and historical context:
- Etymological Meaning: The name itself, "house of a creative one," points to a potential origin or identity for the location, though the biblical text does not elaborate further on this meaning.
- Historical Marker: Its inclusion in the list provides a precise historical anchor. The phrase "unto the reign H4427 of David H1732" connects this obscure town to one of the most significant periods in Israelite history 1 Chronicles 4:31.
- Territorial Record: As one of "their cities" H5892, Bethbirei plays a small but concrete role in the biblical record of land possession and tribal boundaries, helping to establish the geography of ancient Israel.
In summary, Bêyth Birʼîy H1011 is a place name, Bethbirei, whose significance is almost entirely geographical and historical. Its meaning, "house of a creative one," is intriguing but undeveloped in scripture. The word's sole appearance in 1 Chronicles 4:31 serves to document it as one of several cities belonging to an Israelite group up to the time of King David's reign, solidifying its place in the biblical map and timeline.
TRV