Beri
Beri was a descendant of Asher through Zophah.
Biography
Beri appears in the tribal genealogy of Asher recorded in 1 Chronicles 7:36, listed as a son of Zophah, who was himself a descendant of the patriarch Asher. He is named among the heads of families and warriors in the tribe of Asher who were registered in the genealogical records during the period of the Divided Monarchy. The name Beri may derive from a Hebrew root meaning "man of a well" or possibly relate to the word for "grain" or "produce." Beyond this single genealogical reference, nothing further is recorded about Beri's personal history or deeds. He represents one link in the extensive Asherite family record preserved in Chronicles.
Significance
Beri's inclusion in the Asherite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 7 reflects the Chronicler's consistent theological purpose: to demonstrate that all twelve tribes retained their identity and continuity, even through the disruptions of the Divided Monarchy and beyond. The tribe of Asher, settled in the northern coastal region, is often overshadowed in biblical narrative, yet the Chronicler preserves its family records with care. Figures like Beri remind readers that God's covenant encompassed all of Israel, not merely its prominent tribes or celebrated individuals. Every name preserved in these lists represents a person whose existence was meaningful within the larger tapestry of God's relationship with his people.
Verse Appearances (1)
1 Chronicles
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]