feminine of בְּכוֹרָה; primogeniture; Bekorath, an Israelite; Bechorath.
Transliteration:Bᵉkôwrath
Pronunciation:bek-o-rath'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H1064}}`, "בְּכוֹרַת" (Bᵉkôwrath), functions as a proper noun in the biblical text. Its base definition identifies it as a masculine personal name, specifically an Israelite ancestor. Lexically, it is understood as a feminine form derived from `{{H1062}}` "בְּכוֹרָה" (bekorah), which signifies "birthright" or "primogeniture." As a proper noun, its semantic range is restricted to the identification of an individual within a genealogical context. While the name itself does not carry an active abstract meaning in its biblical usage, its etymological root subtly points to the significant concept of the firstborn or the rights associated with primogeniture in ancient Israelite culture.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word `{{H1064}}` "Bekorath" appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in [[1 Samuel 9:1]].
In this singular occurrence, Bekorath is listed as part of the lineage of Kish, the father of Saul, Israel's first king: "Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power."
The context is purely genealogical, serving to establish the ancestral background of King Saul. The name "Bekorath" functions as a simple identifier within this lineage, contributing to the historical and tribal legitimacy of Saul. There is no further narrative or thematic development concerning Bekorath himself; his significance is entirely derived from his position within this crucial royal ancestry.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most immediate lexical connection for `{{H1064}}` "Bekorath" is its root word, `{{H1062}}` "בְּכוֹרָה" (bekorah), which denotes "birthright" or "primogeniture." This concept is central to Old Testament societal and legal structures. Related terms include `{{H1060}}` "בְּכוֹר" (bekor), meaning "firstborn," and other forms of `{{H1061}}` also pertaining to primogeniture. The concept of primogeniture itself carries profound legal, social, and spiritual implications in the biblical narrative. It often entailed a double portion of inheritance, leadership within the family, and sometimes a special consecration or blessing from God, as seen in instances like the struggles between Jacob and Esau over the birthright ([[Genesis 25:29-34]]), Reuben's forfeiture of his birthright ([[Genesis 49:3-4]]), and the legal provisions outlined in the Mosaic Law for the rights of the firstborn son ([[Deuteronomy 21:15-17]]). While "Bekorath" is a proper name, its etymological link to these concepts suggests a cultural milieu where names often reflected significant familial status, hopes, or circumstances.
### Theological Significance
As a proper noun confined to a single genealogical entry, "Bekorath" does not directly convey an explicit theological message or symbolic weight within the narrative of [[1 Samuel 9:1]]. However, its theological significance emerges indirectly through its etymological connection to the concept of "primogeniture" (`{{H1062}}`).
In ancient Israel, the firstborn held a position of profound honor, authority, and inheritance, often seen as divinely ordained. The naming of an individual "Bekorath" (related to "birthright") could reflect a parent's aspirations for their child to embody the blessings and privileges associated with being a firstborn, or perhaps to commemorate a significant event related to primogeniture within the family.
Though Saul himself was not the firstborn of his immediate family (his father Kish is the prominent figure), his lineage tracing back through "Bekorath" subtly connects him to a heritage deeply rooted in the concept of ancestral right and blessing. This highlights the biblical emphasis on lineage and the continuity of God's covenantal work through generations. Even when God chooses individuals outside conventional patterns (as with Saul's anointing), their familial roots often connect them to foundational concepts of divine ordering and blessing within Israelite society. The name serves as a quiet reminder of the enduring importance of birthright and heritage in the divine economy.
### Summary
`{{H1064}}`, "בְּכוֹרַת" (Bᵉkôwrath), is a unique Hebrew proper noun found only once in [[1 Samuel 9:1]], identifying an ancestor of King Saul. Despite its singular occurrence as a genealogical entry, its etymological root in `{{H1062}}` "primogeniture" or "birthright" imbues the name with subtle yet significant theological resonance. While Bekorath himself is not a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, his name links Saul's lineage to a foundational concept in ancient Israelite society, where the firstborn held a position of unique privilege and importance, often reflecting divine favor and ancestral blessing. Thus, "Bekorath" serves as a quiet testament to the enduring significance of heritage and the continuity of God's work through generations in the biblical narrative.
TRV