apparently from the feminine of רַע with a prepositional prefix; in trouble; Beriah, the name of four Israelites; Beriah.
Transliteration:Bᵉrîyʻâh
Pronunciation:ber-ee'-aw
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun H1283 בְּרִיעָה (Bᵉrîyʻâh) is derived from the prepositional prefix בְּ (bᵉ), meaning "in" or "with," and the feminine form of רַע (raʻ), which signifies "evil," "bad," "calamity," or "trouble." Thus, the core meaning of Beriah is "in trouble" or "with trouble." This etymology suggests a name given to reflect circumstances of distress or misfortune surrounding an individual's birth or a significant event in their family's history. As a personal name, its semantic range is primarily confined to this specific appellation, carrying the implicit meaning of hardship or adversity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Beriah appears in the Old Testament as the name of four distinct Israelites, each associated with different tribal lineages:
1. **Beriah, Son of Asher:** He is listed as one of the four sons of Asher, a grandson of Jacob ([[Genesis 46:17]], [[Numbers 26:44-45]], [[1 Chronicles 7:30-31]]). His descendants are known as the Beriites. In these genealogies, his name serves to trace the lineage and tribal divisions within Israel, without specific narrative detail about the circumstances of his birth or life.
2. **Beriah, Son of Ephraim:** This Beriah is particularly significant because the text explicitly explains the origin of his name. He was a son of Ephraim, born after his brothers Ezer and Elead were killed by the men of Gath. [[1 Chronicles 7:23]] states, "And he called his name Beriah, because evil was on his house." The Hebrew word for "evil" here is רָעָה (raʻah), a form of `{{H7451}}` (raʻ), directly linking the name to the calamity and sorrow experienced by Ephraim's household. This instance provides the clearest biblical attestation to the name's meaning.
3. **Beriah, a Benjamite:** He is identified as a head of a family from Aijalon who drove out the inhabitants of Gath, and one of the chief men among the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon ([[1 Chronicles 8:13]], [[1 Chronicles 8:16]]). This Beriah is part of a detailed genealogy of Benjamin, again without further narrative explanation for his name.
4. **Beriah, a Levite:** He is mentioned as a son of Shimei, a Gershonite Levite ([[1 Chronicles 23:10-11]]). Due to the large number of Shimei's sons, David divided them into two family groups for service, with Beriah and Jeush forming one group. Like the other genealogical entries, his name appears in a list establishing priestly and Levitical service.
Across these occurrences, the name Beriah functions primarily within genealogical records, establishing lineage and tribal identity. The most illustrative use, however, is found in the account of Ephraim's son, where the name directly reflects a period of profound family distress.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical connection for H1283 is to the Hebrew root `{{H7451}}` (raʻ), which encompasses a broad semantic range including "bad," "evil," "wicked," "calamity," "misfortune," "distress," and "trouble." The name Beriah directly incorporates this concept of adversity. Other related concepts include:
* **Affliction/Suffering:** Words like `{{H6031}}` (ʻōnî), "affliction," or `{{H6869}}` (ṣārāh), "distress," share a thematic connection to the circumstances implied by Beriah.
* **Naming Conventions:** The practice of naming children to commemorate significant events or circumstances, whether joyful or sorrowful, is a common biblical theme (e.g., Ichabod, "no glory"; Ben-Oni/Benjamin, "son of my sorrow/right hand"). Beriah fits squarely into this tradition, particularly in the case of Ephraim's son.
* **Divine Providence and Human Experience:** The name subtly points to the reality of human suffering and the experience of trouble within the divine plan, even for God's chosen people.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of the name Beriah, "in trouble," is most poignantly expressed in the account of Ephraim's son ([[1 Chronicles 7:23]]). This instance reveals a profound theological truth: even within the covenant community, and even among the prominent tribes of Israel, hardship and tragedy are a reality. The naming of Beriah serves as a perpetual memorial to the "evil" or "calamity" that befell Ephraim's household, acknowledging the pain and sorrow inherent in the human condition.
Yet, the continued existence and proliferation of individuals named Beriah, and their inclusion in the sacred genealogies, also carries a subtle message of resilience and God's enduring faithfulness. Despite the "trouble" that may characterize a family's history or an individual's birth, life continues, and God's purposes unfold. The name does not suggest abandonment by God but rather the reality of living in a fallen world where trouble is inevitable. It can be seen as a testament to the fact that God's people endure *through* trouble, not always *without* it. This resonates with broader biblical themes of suffering as a part of the spiritual journey, often leading to deeper dependence on God and refined character.
### Summary
H1283 Beriah (בְּרִיעָה) is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "in trouble" or "with trouble," derived from the root `{{H7451}}` (raʻ), signifying "evil" or "calamity." The name is borne by four distinct individuals in the Old Testament genealogies: a son of Asher, a son of Ephraim, a Benjamite, and a Levite. The most significant occurrence is Beriah, son of Ephraim, whose name is explicitly explained as a commemoration of the "evil" or "calamity" that befell his household ([[1 Chronicles 7:23]]). This highlights the ancient Israelite practice of naming children to reflect significant life events, particularly those involving hardship. Theologically, the name Beriah serves as a poignant reminder of the reality of human suffering and distress within the experience of God's people. Yet, its continued presence in the sacred record also subtly underscores the resilience of faith and the enduring nature of God's covenant purposes, even amidst and through times of profound trouble.
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