Who was Beera in the Bible?

Beera was a descendant of Asher, listed as one of the sons of Zophah in the genealogical records of the tribe of Asher (1 Chronicles 7:37). He is mentioned only in this genealogy, with no further details about his life or actions.

Why is Beera mentioned in the Bible?

Beera's mention preserves the lineage and continuity of the tribe of Asher, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant with the tribes of Israel. His inclusion shows that even individuals with no recorded deeds are part of God's larger story and chosen people.

What can we learn from Beera's story?

While Beera's life is not detailed, his presence in the genealogy teaches that faithfulness to God's covenant is often expressed through family and community continuity. It reminds us that every person, however briefly mentioned, has a place in God's sovereign plan.

Beera

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon of zophah

Beera was a descendant of Asher, listed in the genealogy of Zophah.

Beera

Biography

Beera is a minor figure in the genealogical records of the tribe of Asher, appearing in 1 Chronicles 7:37 as the son of Zophah. He is listed alongside several brothers, Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah, Bezer, Hod, Shamma, Shilshah, Ithran, and Beera, as descendants in the line of Asher, one of Jacob's twelve sons. The Asherite genealogy in 1 Chronicles 7:30-40 catalogues the clan structures within the tribe, identifying warriors and men of distinction. Beera's name, possibly derived from the Hebrew word for 'well' or 'cistern,' was a recurring name in ancient Israel. While no individual narrative attaches to Beera of Zophah's line, his place in the Asherite record situates him within a tribe known for its territory along the Mediterranean coast of Canaan.

Significance

Though Beera receives only a brief mention, his presence in the Asherite genealogy of 1 Chronicles reflects the biblical principle that every member of God's covenant community has a place in the sacred record. The genealogical lists of Chronicles were composed for the post-exilic community to establish tribal identity, land rights, and continuity of covenant relationship with God. Asher's territory was among the most fertile in Canaan (Genesis 49:20), and figures like Beera represent the countless unnamed individuals whose lives of faithfulness sustained Israel's tribal identity through centuries of history, exile, and return, serving as the living fabric of the covenant people.

Verse Appearances (1)

1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 7:37

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]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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