בִּרְזוֹת
Birzoth, an Israelite
Definition
Birzoth is a proper noun referring to an individual listed in the genealogy of the tribe of Asher in 1 Chronicles 7:31. The name appears in a list of the sons of Malchiel, who is identified as the 'father of Birzoth.' As a genealogical entry, it signifies a specific, though otherwise unknown, member of the Israelite community. The name itself is likely derived from a root meaning 'holes' or 'piercings,' but its application as a personal name in this context is its sole biblical usage.
Biblical Usage
The word בִּרְזוֹת (Birzôwth) is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 7:31. It functions strictly as a personal name within a genealogical record of the tribe of Asher. There are no other contexts or patterns of usage; it appears solely to document a lineage.
Etymology
The name Birzoth is probably the feminine plural form of an unused Hebrew root, apparently meaning 'to pierce.' Thus, its etymological sense is 'holes' or 'piercings.' It is a proper name derived from a common noun, a typical pattern for Hebrew personal names, though the specific reason for this name's choice is unknown.
Semantic Range
In ancient Israelite culture, personal names were often significant, sometimes describing a characteristic, a circumstance of birth, or expressing a hope. While the meaning 'holes' or 'piercings' for Birzoth is obscure, its inclusion in a chronicle highlights the importance of detailed genealogical records for establishing tribal identity, inheritance rights, and continuity within the covenant community.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →