The Hebrew name Bikrîy, represented by H1075, means youth-ful and identifies an Israelite named Bichri. It appears 8 times in 8 unique verses, all within a single narrative, and is used exclusively to identify the father of a key figure in a rebellion against King David.
In the biblical narrative, H1075 only appears in the context of "Sheba the son of Bichri" 2 Samuel 20:1. Sheba, a Benjamite H1145, is introduced as a "man of Belial" H1100 who blows a trumpet H7782 and incites the men of Israel H3478 to abandon their allegiance to King David H1732. David recognizes the threat posed by Sheba, son of Bichri, as potentially more harmful H3415 than the recent rebellion of Absalom H53 2 Samuel 20:6. The name Bichri is repeated as David's forces, led by Joab H3097 and Abishai H52, pursue H7291 Sheba to quell the uprising (2 Samuel 20:7, 2 Samuel 20:10, 2 Samuel 20:13).
The story of Bichri's son involves several other key individuals and terms:
- H7652 shebaʻ (Sheba): The son of Bichri and the central antagonist in this account. He is identified by his father's name throughout the pursuit and is ultimately beheaded to end the conflict 2 Samuel 20:22.
- H1121 bên (a son): This word is essential to Bichri's identity in scripture, as he is only ever mentioned in the phrase "the son of Bichri" 2 Samuel 20:1.
- H1145 Ben-yᵉmîynîy (a Benjaminite): Bichri's son, Sheba, is identified as a Benjamite, providing a tribal context for his rebellion against David, who was from the tribe of Judah H3063 2 Samuel 20:1.
- H1100 bᵉlîyaʻal (wickedness; Belial): Sheba, son of Bichri, is explicitly labeled a "man of Belial," defining the character of his insurrection as worthless and wicked 2 Samuel 20:1.
The narrative significance of H1075 is entirely tied to the actions of his son.
- Patrilineal Identification: The name Bichri functions solely as a patronymic identifier for the rebel Sheba. This underscores the biblical importance of lineage in defining an individual's identity, even for an antagonist 2 Samuel 20:1.
- Association with Rebellion: Bichri's name is inseparably linked to the insurrection against King David. His son attempts to split the kingdom, causing every man H376 of Israel to follow H310 him and abandon David 2 Samuel 20:2.
- A Legacy of Wickedness: Through his son, Bichri is remembered as the father of a "man of Belial" H1100. The narrative frames the rebellion as an act of worthlessness, forever connecting the name Bichri to this treacherous event 2 Samuel 20:1.
In summary, H1075 is not the name of an active biblical character but serves a crucial identifying role. As Bikrîy, the father of the rebel Sheba, his name is preserved in scripture as a permanent marker of lineage for a man who challenged the authority of God's anointed king H4428. His sole purpose in the text is to provide a name and ancestry for the "son of Bichri" who led Israel astray.
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