from בָּרַד; hail; Bered, the name of a place south of Palestine, also of an Israelite; Bered.
Transliteration:Bered
Pronunciation:beh'red
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The lemma H1260, בֶּרֶד (Bered), derives from the verbal root בָּרַד (barad, `{{H1258}}`), which signifies "to hail" or "to scatter hailstones." Its primary concrete meaning is "hail," referring to frozen precipitation. Beyond this literal meteorological sense, the term also functions as a proper noun, designating both a specific geographical location and a personal name. As a place name, "Bered" refers to a site located south of Palestine. As a personal name, "Bered" identifies an Israelite individual within a genealogical record. The semantic range thus extends from a natural phenomenon to onomastic and topographical references, all stemming from the core concept of "hail."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term בֶּרֶד (Bered) appears in the Hebrew Bible in two distinct capacities, reflecting its dual usage as a common noun and a proper noun. As "hail," it is a significant meteorological phenomenon, often depicted as an instrument of divine judgment or power. Notable occurrences include the plagues in Egypt, where hail was sent by God ([[Exodus 9:18]], [[Exodus 9:23]], [[Exodus 9:24]], [[Exodus 9:26]]), demonstrating Yahweh's sovereignty over creation and His ability to punish. In these instances, the destructive power of hail is emphasized, bringing devastation to crops, livestock, and people. The term also appears in poetic and prophetic literature, symbolizing divine wrath or the powerful intervention of God ([[Psalm 18:12]], [[Psalm 18:13]]; [[Isaiah 28:2]]; [[Isaiah 30:30]]). Here, "hail" is often associated with fire, thunder, and lightning, portraying the awesome and terrifying manifestation of God's presence.
As a proper noun, "Bered" occurs once as a place name in [[Genesis 16:14]]. This verse describes the well Beer-lahai-roi as being "between Kadesh and Bered." This geographical marker is crucial for understanding Hagar's flight and divine encounter. The precise location of Bered is debated among scholars but is generally placed in the Negev region, south of Judah. As a personal name, "Bered" appears once in [[1 Chronicles 7:20]] as a descendant of Ephraim. This genealogical reference is part of the extensive tribal lists, providing a lineage for the Ephraimite clan. The significance here is primarily historical and genealogical, linking an individual to the broader Israelite family structure.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary etymological connection for H1260 is to the verbal root בָּרַד (barad, `{{H1258}}`), "to hail," from which the noun directly derives. Another related noun for "hail" is בָּרָד (barad, `{{H1259}}`), which is often used interchangeably or in parallel contexts. Other terms describing precipitation or atmospheric phenomena include מָטָר (matar, `{{H4306}}`), "rain," and שֶׁלֶג (sheleg, `{{H7950}}`), "snow."
The concept of divine judgment and natural disaster is a significant thematic link. Hail is frequently mentioned alongside other destructive elements like fire (אֵשׁ, esh, `{{H784}}`), thunder (קוֹל, qol, `{{H6963}}`), and lightning (בָּרָק, baraq, `{{H1300}}`), particularly in the context of the plagues and theophany. Geographically, "Bered" is associated with Kadesh (קָדֵשׁ, Kadesh, `{{H6946}}`), a significant wilderness location, highlighting the harsh and often divinely-intervened landscape of the Negev. Genealogically, "Bered" as a personal name connects to the broader tribal lineages of Israel, particularly Ephraim, linking it to the concepts of family, inheritance, and tribal identity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of בֶּרֶד (Bered) primarily stems from its meaning as "hail" and its association with divine power and judgment. In the Exodus narrative, hail is a potent demonstration of Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over creation and His ability to orchestrate natural forces to achieve His purposes. It serves as an undeniable sign of His power over the gods of Egypt and Pharaoh's hardened heart ([[Exodus 9:18-26]]). This portrays God as the ultimate ruler, whose commands even the elements obey. Throughout prophetic and poetic literature, hail often symbolizes God's wrath and the inevitable consequences of human rebellion. It is an instrument of divine justice, bringing destruction upon the wicked and acting as a metaphor for the severity of God's judgment ([[Isaiah 28:2]], [[Isaiah 30:30]]). Yet, it also underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant people, as seen in the sparing of Goshen during the plague.
The mention of "Bered" as a place name in [[Genesis 16:14]] highlights God's omnipresence and His providential care even in the wilderness. Hagar's encounter with the Angel of the Lord at Beer-lahai-roi, near Bered, emphasizes that God sees and hears the afflicted, even those outside the direct covenant line. It underscores the theme of divine compassion and intervention in human suffering. As a personal name, "Bered" in the genealogies, while seemingly minor, contributes to the overarching biblical narrative of God's faithfulness to His promises through generations and His meticulous attention to the details of His people's history.
### Summary
The Hebrew lemma בֶּרֶד (H1260, Bered) possesses a dual semantic range, encompassing both a meteorological phenomenon and proper nouns. Primarily, it signifies "hail," a form of frozen precipitation often depicted as a powerful instrument of divine judgment and sovereignty in the Old Testament, particularly during the plagues in Egypt and in prophetic pronouncements of wrath. The destructive force of hail underscores God's absolute control over creation and His capacity to intervene decisively in human affairs. Beyond this, "Bered" also functions as a geographical location in the Negev, mentioned in connection with Hagar's divine encounter ([[Genesis 16:14]]), highlighting God's omnipresence and care for the vulnerable. Lastly, it appears as a personal name in the Ephraimite genealogy ([[1 Chronicles 7:20]]), contributing to the meticulous historical record of God's people. Thus, H1260, though seemingly simple, points to profound theological truths concerning divine power, judgment, compassion, and faithfulness across creation, history, and human experience.
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