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.
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.
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.
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.
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