from בָּכַר; youth-ful; Bikri, an Israelite; Bichri.
Transliteration:Bikrîy
Pronunciation:bik-ree'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word בִּכְרִי (Bikrîy), Strong's H1075, is a proper noun, specifically a personal name. Its base definition indicates it is derived from the root בָּכַר (bakar, `{{H1069}}`), which fundamentally means "to be firstborn," "to bear early fruit," or "to show oneself as firstborn." This root carries connotations of priority, newness, and the initial offering or offspring.
The transliteration "Bikrîy" itself is interpreted as "youth-ful" or "my firstborn." While the name functions primarily as an identifier for an individual, its etymological connection to בָּכַר suggests a potential meaning related to being the first, the earliest, or perhaps metaphorically, "youthful" in the sense of being at the beginning of a lineage or generation. As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to its function as a personal identifier, though the echo of its root meaning would have been perceptible to ancient Hebrew speakers.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name בִּכְרִי (Bikrîy, `{{H1075}}`) appears in the Hebrew Bible in a single significant instance, identifying the father of a prominent figure:
* **[[2 Samuel 20:1]]**: "Now a worthless fellow happened to be there, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjaminite."
In this context, Bikrîy is identified as the father of Sheba, who leads a rebellion against King David. The mention of "Bichri" serves to establish Sheba's lineage and tribal affiliation (Benjaminite), which is crucial for understanding the political and social dynamics of the period. The name itself does not provide direct insight into Bikrîy's character or actions, as he is not an active participant in the narrative. Rather, it grounds Sheba within a specific family and tribal identity, highlighting the importance of lineage in ancient Israelite society for establishing legitimacy, authority, and connections. The rebellion of Sheba, son of Bichri, underscores the volatile nature of David's reign and the lingering tribal divisions even after the establishment of a unified monarchy.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary word related to בִּכְרִי (Bikrîy, `{{H1075}}`) is its root, בָּכַר (bakar, `{{H1069}}`). This root gives rise to several significant terms in the Hebrew Bible:
* בְּכוֹר (bekor, `{{H1060}}`): "firstborn son" or "firstborn." This term is central to the concept of primogeniture, carrying rights of inheritance, leadership, and a double portion of the inheritance.
* בִּכּוּרִים (bikkurim, `{{H1061}}`): "first fruits." This refers to the earliest produce of the harvest, which was to be consecrated to the Lord as an act of worship and recognition of divine provision.
* בְּכוֹרָה (bekorah, `{{H1062}}`): "birthright" or "right of the firstborn." This denotes the privileges and responsibilities associated with being the firstborn.
The concept of "firstborn" extends beyond mere birth order to theological and covenantal significance. Israel is called God's "firstborn son" ([[Exodus 4:22]]), signifying a special relationship of election and privilege among the nations. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is referred to as the "firstborn over all creation" ([[Colossians 1:15]]) and the "firstborn from the dead" ([[Revelation 1:5]]), highlighting His preeminence, sovereignty, and role as the inaugurator of new creation and resurrection life.
### Theological Significance
While בִּכְרִי (Bikrîy, `{{H1075}}`) itself, as a proper noun, does not carry direct theological significance in the biblical narrative, its etymological root בָּכַר (bakar, `{{H1069}}`) is profoundly theological. The concept of the "firstborn" is woven throughout the fabric of Israelite theology:
1. **Divine Ownership and Consecration**: The firstborn of both humans and animals were considered holy to the Lord and were to be redeemed or consecrated ([[Exodus 13:2]]). This established a principle of God's ultimate ownership and the requirement for His people to acknowledge His sovereignty by dedicating the best and first to Him.
2. **Covenantal Status**: Israel's designation as God's "firstborn son" ([[Exodus 4:22]]) underscores their unique covenantal relationship with Yahweh, chosen not for their merit but by divine grace. This status implied both privilege and responsibility.
3. **Primogeniture and Inheritance**: The rights of the firstborn (the בְּכוֹרָה) were significant for family leadership and inheritance. While sometimes subverted by divine choice (e.g., Jacob over Esau, David over his older brothers), the principle remained foundational to social structure.
4. **Messianic Foreshadowing**: The "firstborn" concept finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. As the "firstborn over all creation," He holds supremacy and is the source of all things. As the "firstborn from the dead," He inaugurates the new creation and guarantees the resurrection of believers, demonstrating His victory over death and His preeminence in the new covenant.
Thus, though Bikrîy is merely a name, it subtly echoes these deep theological themes of priority, divine election, and the foundational importance of the "first" in God's redemptive plan.
### Summary
בִּכְרִי (Bikrîy, `{{H1075}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, a personal name derived from the root בָּכַר (bakar, `{{H1069}}`), meaning "to be firstborn" or "to bear early fruit." The name itself is interpreted as "youthful" or "my firstborn." Its sole appearance in the Bible is in [[2 Samuel 20:1]], where it identifies the father of Sheba, a Benjaminite who led a rebellion against King David. In this context, Bikrîy serves to establish lineage and tribal identity rather than describing a personal characteristic. While the name Bikrîy has no direct theological significance, its etymological root בָּכַר is profoundly important, forming the basis for concepts such as primogeniture, the consecration of firstborns and first fruits, and the theological designation of Israel as God's "firstborn." Ultimately, these concepts find their fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the preeminent "firstborn" of creation and resurrection.
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