The Hebrew word Bᵉrâʼyâh, represented by H1256, is a proper name meaning Jah has created. It is derived from the words בָּרָא and שְׁמוּאֵל. According to usage statistics, it appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, identifying a specific Israelite named Beraiah.
The sole appearance of H1256 occurs within a genealogical list in the book of 1 Chronicles. The verse identifies Beraiah as one of the "sons of Shimhi," listed alongside his brothers 1 Chronicles 8:21. In this context, the name functions purely to identify an individual within a specific ancestral line, contributing to the detailed record of Israelite families.
The context of Beraiah's mention in 1 Chronicles 8:21 connects him to several other individuals and familial terms:
- H5718 ʻĂdâyâh (Adaiah): Meaning "Jah has adorned," this is the name of Beraiah's brother. Adaiah is a name that appears in multiple genealogies throughout scripture 1 Chronicles 9:12.
- H8119 Shimrâth (Shimrath): Defined as "guardship," this name belongs to another of Beraiah's brothers listed in the same verse 1 Chronicles 8:21.
- H8096 Shimʻîy (Shimhi): Meaning "famous," this is the name of Beraiah's father. The name Shimhi is a variant of Shimei, which identifies various Israelites in the biblical record Esther 2:5.
- H1121 bên (son): This foundational term, meaning "a son (as a builder of the family name)," establishes the direct familial relationship of Beraiah, Adaiah, and Shimrath to their father, Shimhi 1 Chronicles 8:21. The word is critical for tracing generational continuity Deuteronomy 4:9.
While appearing only once, the name H1256 carries theological weight through its direct meaning.
- Divine Creation: The name Beraiah literally translates to "Jah has created." It serves as a personal and permanent testament to the creative power of God, a foundational belief in Israelite faith.
- Genealogical Significance: By being included in a biblical genealogy, the name reinforces the idea that God is the author and builder of families and lineages. Each individual, including Beraiah, is part of a divinely recorded history, and his very name points back to the Creator as the source of his existence.
In summary, H1256 is a Hebrew personal name used to identify the Israelite Beraiah. Its singular appearance in a genealogical record in 1 Chronicles places him within the family of Shimhi. Though its use is limited, the name's powerful meaning, "Jah has created," embeds a core theological truth into the biblical record of family history, subtly reminding the reader that God is the ultimate author of every individual's life.
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