patrial from בֵּרוֹתָה; a Berothite, or inhabitant of Berothai; Berothite.
Transliteration:Bêrôthîy
Pronunciation:bay-ro-thee'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
**H1307 (בֵּרֹתִי, Bêrôthîy)** is a gentilic noun, meaning "a Berothite" or "an inhabitant of Berothai." It is derived directly from the place name **Berothai** (or **Berothah**, `{{H1306}}`). The root of the place name itself, likely related to בְּאֵר (`{{H875}}`), suggests "wells" or "pits," indicating a location known for its water sources. As a gentilic, its semantic range is strictly limited to denoting geographical origin and does not carry inherent moral, theological, or abstract meaning beyond identifying a person's native city. Its significance is therefore primarily tied to the identity and actions of the individual it describes and the historical context of the place from which they originate.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term **H1307 (Bêrôthîy)** appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times referring to the same individual, Naharai, who was one of King David's elite warriors:
* **[[2 Samuel 23:37]]**: "Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armor-bearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah." This verse lists Naharai among David's "mighty men," a company of valiant warriors renowned for their loyalty and military prowess. His specific role as armor-bearer to Joab, David's formidable commander, underscores his close association with the kingdom's military leadership and his presumed skill and trustworthiness.
* **[[1 Chronicles 11:39]]**: "Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah." This parallel account in Chronicles reiterates Naharai's identity and position, confirming his significance in David's court.
The place "Berothai" (or "Berothah," `{{H1306}}`) itself is mentioned in other contexts, providing crucial geographical and historical background:
* **[[2 Samuel 8:8]]**: "And from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a great deal of bronze." This verse places Berothai in the territory of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, an Aramean kingdom located north of Israel. This indicates that Berothai was a city conquered by David during his expansionist campaigns.
* **[[Ezekiel 47:16]]**: "Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath, Hazar-hatticon, which is by the border of Hauran." Here, Berothah is listed as a geographical marker in a prophetic description of the future boundaries of Israel, further confirming its northern, Aramean location, likely in the vicinity of Hamath and Damascus.
The fact that Naharai, a Beerothite, served in David's inner circle suggests the integration of individuals from conquered territories into the Israelite kingdom, even into its highest echelons of military service. This demonstrates David's capacity to incorporate diverse peoples into his administration, perhaps recognizing their skill and loyalty regardless of their origin.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H1306}}` (Bêrôthâh)**: This is the geographical place name, "Berothai" or "Berothah," from which the gentilic **H1307** is derived. Understanding the historical and geographical context of Berothai as an Aramean city conquered by David is essential for comprehending the identity of a Beerothite.
* **`{{H875}}` (Bê'êr)**: "Well, pit, cistern." This root is the probable etymological source for the place name Berothai, suggesting the city's characterization by its water sources. While not directly impacting the meaning of "Beerothite," it provides insight into the naming convention of the ancient world.
* **David's Mighty Men**: The broader group to which Naharai the Beerothite belonged (e.g., [[2 Samuel 23]], [[1 Chronicles 11]]). This elite company, composed of warriors from various backgrounds (e.g., Ammonite, Philistine, Hararite), exemplifies loyalty, valor, and the composite nature of David's kingdom. The inclusion of a Beerothite highlights the diversity within this celebrated group.
* **Gentilic Nouns**: **H1307** belongs to a class of nouns that denote origin from a specific place, tribe, or nation (e.g., Moabite, Egyptian, Israelite). These terms are crucial for mapping social, political, and geographical relationships within the biblical narrative.
### Theological Significance
While **H1307 (Bêrôthîy)** itself is a descriptive term without inherent theological content, its presence in the biblical record contributes to several significant theological themes:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Inclusion**: The integration of individuals from diverse, even formerly adversarial, backgrounds (like Naharai from an Aramean city conquered by David) into the core of God's chosen king's administration illustrates God's sovereign hand at work. It shows how God can bring people from various nations and circumstances into the service of His purposes, foreshadowing the broader, inclusive nature of His ultimate kingdom, which transcends ethnic and national boundaries.
* **Loyalty and Service**: Naharai's position as an armor-bearer to Joab and his inclusion among David's mighty men speak volumes about his exceptional loyalty, skill, and dedication. These are virtues highly esteemed in biblical theology, demonstrating that faithfulness and service are valued irrespective of one's place of origin.
* **Expansion of God's Kingdom**: David's conquest of cities like Berothai and the subsequent integration of its people into Israelite society can be seen as a microcosm of the expansion of God's kingdom. This prefigures the New Testament vision where people from "every tribe and language and people and nation" ([[Revelation 5:9]]) will be gathered into God's family, serving Him.
* **Historical Veracity**: The precise identification of individuals by their specific place of origin, even from geographically distant or conquered territories, underscores the biblical text's commitment to historical detail. This grounding in specific historical and geographical realities reinforces the trustworthiness of the biblical narrative as a record of God's interaction with humanity in time and space.
### Summary
**H1307 (Bêrôthîy)**, "a Beerothite," is a gentilic noun that identifies an inhabitant of Berothai. Its primary significance stems from its sole biblical application to Naharai, one of King David's mighty men and armor-bearer to Joab, mentioned in both [[2 Samuel 23:37]] and [[1 Chronicles 11:39]]. The city of Berothai (`{{H1306}}`) was an Aramean city conquered by David, located in what is modern-day Syria, as indicated by [[2 Samuel 8:8]] and [[Ezekiel 47:16]]. Naharai's presence among David's elite warriors highlights the diverse composition of David's kingdom and the integration of skilled individuals from conquered territories. Theologically, this word subtly points to themes of divine sovereignty in bringing diverse peoples into service, the value of loyalty and faithful service regardless of origin, and the foreshadowing of God's inclusive kingdom that transcends national boundaries. While semantically narrow, the historical and personal context afforded by this gentilic noun provides valuable insights into the geopolitical and social dynamics of ancient Israel under David.
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