The Hebrew name Bᵉʻalyâh, represented by H1183, means Jah (is) master. It appears only 1 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible. The name itself is a compound, derived from "בַּעַל" (master) and "יָהּ" (Jah), identifying an Israelite named Bealiah.
The single biblical mention of H1183 occurs within a list of names. In this passage, Bealiah is named among a group of individuals that includes Eluzai, Jerimoth, Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite 1 Chronicles 12:5. The context is purely genealogical, positioning Bealiah within a specific group of people without further narrative detail.
Several other names are mentioned in the same list, providing context through association:
- H498 ʼElʻûwzay (God (is) defensive; Eluzai, an Israelite; Eluzai): This individual is listed immediately before Bealiah in 1 Chronicles 12:5.
- H3406 Yᵉrîymôwth (elevations; Jerimoth or Jeremoth, the name of twelve Israelites; Jermoth, Jerimoth, and Ramoth): Jerimoth is also named in the same group of individuals as Bealiah 1 Chronicles 12:5.
- H8114 Shᵉmaryâh (Jah has guarded; Shemarjah, the name of four Israelites; Shamariah, Shemariah): This name appears directly after Bealiah in the list 1 Chronicles 12:5.
- H8203 Shᵉphaṭyâh (Jah has judged; Shephatjah, the name of ten Israelites; Shephatiah): Shephatiah is also part of the group named alongside Bealiah in 1 Chronicles 12:5.
The theological weight of H1183 is contained entirely within its definition.
- Theophoric Declaration: The name Bᵉʻalyâh is theophoric, incorporating a form of God's name ("Jah") to make a statement of faith.
- Acknowledgement of Sovereignty: By its meaning, "Jah (is) master," the name is a direct confession of God's supreme authority and lordship.
- Context of Faith: Bealiah is listed among others with similar theophoric names, such as ʼElʻûwzay ("God (is) defensive") and Shᵉmaryâh ("Jah has guarded"), illustrating a common practice of embedding theological convictions into personal names.
In summary, H1183 Bᵉʻalyâh is a name whose entire significance is found in its powerful definition: Jah (is) master. Though it appears only once in a list 1 Chronicles 12:5, its composition serves as a clear and concise declaration of faith in God's sovereignty. It is a prime example of how personal names in the Bible could function as expressions of an individual's core beliefs.
TRV