Becher
The Becherites, descendants of Becher, were a clan of the tribe of Ephraim during the wilderness census.
Biography
Becher was a son of Ephraim, son of Joseph, whose descendants formed the Becherite clan within the tribe of Ephraim. He is listed in Numbers 26:35 in the second wilderness census, where the clans of Ephraim are enumerated as Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land. The Becherites were one of three major clans of Ephraim recorded in this census, alongside the Shuthelahites and the Tahanites. Becher thus stands as a foundational ancestor whose lineage contributed to the numerical and tribal strength of Ephraim, one of the most powerful tribes in Israel's history. The tribe of Ephraim eventually dominated the northern kingdom and lent its name synecdochically to the entire northern confederation of tribes in prophetic literature. Becher's role is primarily genealogical, he is known as the progenitor of a recognized family unit within the larger Israelite tribal structure.
Significance
Becher represents the genealogical foundation of tribal Israel, the ancestors whose names defined the clans that organized Israelite society, military service, land allotment, and worship. The tribal census lists of Numbers 26 are not merely administrative records; they reflect God's covenant faithfulness in multiplying the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob despite centuries of Egyptian slavery. As a son of Ephraim and grandson of Joseph, Becher stands within one of the most theologically significant lineages in the Hebrew Bible, the house of Joseph, whose suffering and exaltation prefigure redemptive patterns fulfilled ultimately in Christ. The Becherites' presence in the census affirms the continuity of God's covenant promises across generations.
Verse Appearances (1)
Numbers
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]