### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Bᵉrîyʻâh**, represented by `{{H1283}}`, is a personal name meaning "in trouble." It appears **11 times** across **10 unique verses** and is the name given to four distinct Israelite men. The name is derived from the word for evil or trouble `{{H7451}}`, marking its bearer with a history of adversity from birth.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H1283}}` is primarily used in genealogical records to establish lineage. The most prominent Beriah is a son of Asher `{{H836}}` and the progenitor of the family of the Beriites ([[Genesis 46:17]], [[Numbers 26:44]]). Another significant mention is the son born to Ephraim, who was explicitly given the name **Beriah** because tragedy had struck his family; as scripture states, "it went evil `{{H7451}}` with his house `{{H1004}}`" [[1 Chronicles 7:23]]. Other men named Beriah include a Benjamite who was a "head `{{H7218}}` of the fathers `{{H1}}`" [[1 Chronicles 8:13]] and a Levite son of Shimei [[1 Chronicles 23:10]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide context for the meaning and use of **Beriah**:
* `{{H7451}}` **raʻ** (bad or (as noun) evil): This is the root concept from which **Beriah** derives its meaning of being "in trouble." The name was given to Ephraim's son to memorialize the calamity that had befallen his family [[1 Chronicles 7:23]].
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (a son): As a name passed through generations, **Beriah** is always identified in relation to his father, such as the `son` of Asher [[Genesis 46:17]] or Shimei [[1 Chronicles 23:10]], and as the father of his own `sons` [[Genesis 46:17]], underscoring the importance of lineage.
* `{{H1004}}` **bayith** (a house): This word, often meaning family or household, is key to understanding the name's origin. The name was given because evil had come upon Ephraim's `house`, directly linking the individual's identity to the family's experience [[1 Chronicles 7:23]].
### Theological Significance
The narrative weight of `{{H1283}}` lies in its function as a memorial.
* **A Name Born of Sorrow:** The story of Ephraim’s son provides a rare, explicit explanation for a name's meaning. He was `called` `{{H7121}}` **Beriah** to forever mark the "evil" or affliction his family endured, embedding personal grief into the genealogical record [[1 Chronicles 7:23]].
* **Continuation of Lineage:** Despite its sorrowful origins, the name is carried by men who establish significant family lines. The Beriah of Asher's line becomes the forefather of the Beriites, a recognized family within the tribe [[Numbers 26:44]].
* **Leadership and Duty:** The name is also associated with authority and service. A Benjamite **Beriah** is a `head` `{{H7218}}` of a family [[1 Chronicles 8:13]], and a Levite **Beriah** is part of a priestly lineage, counted in the `reckoning` `{{H6486}}` for his father's house [[1 Chronicles 23:11]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H1283}}` is more than just a name; it is a narrative marker of trouble and resilience. While its definition is rooted in affliction, the men who bore the name **Beriah** are recorded as leaders and founders of families within key Israelite tribes. The name powerfully illustrates the biblical practice of using names to preserve the memory of significant life events, whether of sorrow or purpose.
TRV