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1 Chronicles 7:23

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And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.

And when he went in {H935} to his wife {H802}, she conceived {H2029}, and bare {H3205} a son {H1121}, and he called {H7121} his name {H8034} Beriah {H1283}, because it went evil {H7451} with his house {H1004}.

Then he had sexual relations with his wife, and she conceived and bore a son whom he called B'ri'ah [in calamity], because his household had suffered a calamity.

And again he slept with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. So he named him Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house.

And he went in to his wife, and she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 7:23 records a poignant moment in the genealogy of Ephraim, highlighting how personal tragedy and misfortune influenced the naming of a child.

Context

This verse follows a somber account in the preceding verses (1 Chronicles 7:21-22), where some of Ephraim's sons, Ezer and Elead, were tragically killed by the men of Gath during a cattle raid. This event brought great sorrow and "evil" upon the household of Ephraim, the tribal patriarch. In response to this profound loss, a child born to Ephraim's wife (or a descendant's wife, though the text implies Ephraim himself through whose line the calamity occurred) was named to reflect this grief and hardship.

Key Themes

  • The Significance of Names: In ancient Israel, names were often more than mere labels; they carried significant meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or prevailing events. The name 'Beriah' serves as a lasting memorial to the sorrow and misfortune experienced by Ephraim's family, openly acknowledging the "evil" that befell their house.
  • Acknowledging Sorrow and Loss: The act of naming Beriah openly acknowledges the profound grief and calamity that struck the lineage. It demonstrates that even within the meticulously cataloged biblical genealogies, personal pain and historical events were not overlooked but woven into the fabric of the family's identity and memory.
  • God's Preservation in Genealogies: Despite the tragedy and the loss of life, the lineage continues. The inclusion of Beriah in the genealogy emphasizes God's faithfulness in preserving His people and their tribes, even through periods of distress and hardship. This unbroken line is crucial for understanding the historical continuity of Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The name Beriah (Hebrew: בְּרִיעָה, bĕrîʿāh) literally means "in evil" or "with evil." This linguistic connection directly explains the reason given in the verse: "because it went evil with his house." This powerful naming convention conveys the family's experience of misfortune and grief in a very direct way.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that life's difficulties and sorrows are an inevitable part of the human experience, even for those within God's covenant. Like Ephraim's family, we often face unexpected trials and losses that cause deep pain. The naming of Beriah shows a raw, honest response to suffering. While we may not name our children after our misfortunes today, this passage encourages us to acknowledge our grief and trust that God is present even in our darkest moments. It also subtly points to the enduring nature of God's plans and His promise to preserve His people, as the lineage continues despite the hardship, ultimately leading to the promised Messiah.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 23:5 (2 votes)

    Although my house [be] not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all [things], and sure: for [this is] all my salvation, and all [my] desire, although he make [it] not to grow.