Who was Beriah in the Bible?

Beriah was a son of Asher, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), and became the head of the Beriite clan. He is listed among the family heads of the tribe of Asher in the Old Testament (Genesis 46:17, Numbers 26:44-45).

What is the significance of Beriah in the Bible?

Beriah's significance lies in his role as a clan founder, ensuring his family line was counted among the tribes of Israel during the Exodus. His descendants, the Beriites, were part of the tribal census and received an inheritance in the Promised Land (Numbers 26:44-45).

Are there any key events in Beriah's life?

The Bible does not record specific events in Beriah's life. His mention is primarily genealogical, noting his birth as a son of Asher and his establishment as a clan head within the nation of Israel (1 Chronicles 7:30-31).

Beriah

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleSon

Beriah, a son of Asher, was the head of a clan in Israel.

Beriah

Biography

Beriah was one of the four sons of Asher, the eighth son of Jacob (Genesis 46:17; Numbers 26:44-45). His name, which may derive from the Hebrew word meaning "in evil" or "gift," was given in a context of misfortune according to some interpretive traditions. Beriah fathered two sons, Heber and Malchiel, and through them became the progenitor of the Berites and Malchielites, two distinct clans within the tribe of Asher. When Israel descended into Egypt with Jacob, Beriah was among those counted in the household. His descendants were later numbered in the wilderness census recorded in Numbers, demonstrating the clan's growth and continuity within the broader tribal structure of Israel during the formative years of nationhood.

Significance

Though Beriah occupies a minor role in biblical narrative, his place in the genealogical record of Asher carries theological weight. The careful preservation of clan lineages in texts like Numbers and 1 Chronicles reflects Israel's understanding that God's covenant promises extended through every branch of the twelve tribes. Beriah's descendants formed one of the clans allotted territory in the Promised Land, illustrating how God's faithfulness to Abraham's covenant was worked out through the ordinary transmission of family heritage. His name's inclusion in Scripture affirms that even those without prominent individual stories participated meaningfully in the unfolding of God's redemptive purposes for Israel.

Authority Records

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