Beraiah
Beraiah was a Benjamite, a descendant of Shimei.
Biography
Beraiah was a Benjamite whose lineage is traced through Shimei in the tribal genealogy recorded in 1 Chronicles 8:21. He appears in a list of heads of families within the tribe of Benjamin who lived in Jerusalem, suggesting he was part of the post-settlement aristocracy of that tribe. His name, derived from the Hebrew root meaning "Yahweh has created" or "the LORD created," reflects the theophoric naming conventions common among covenant families. Beyond his genealogical entry, Scripture preserves no further details about Beraiah's personal history, occupation, or deeds. He represents one of many Benjamite family leaders who are commemorated in the Chronicles genealogies as part of the preserved memory of Israel's tribal structure.
Significance
Beraiah's inclusion in the Benjamite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 8 reflects the theological importance the Chronicler placed on ancestral lineage and tribal continuity. For the post-exilic community, genealogies were not mere historical records but vital affirmations of covenant identity, proof that God's people had maintained their distinctiveness through exile and return. Beraiah's theophoric name, honoring God as Creator, itself bears witness to a family culture rooted in faith. Even minor figures in biblical genealogies remind readers that God's redemptive purposes are carried forward not only through celebrated heroes but through the countless faithful families who preserve the covenant community from generation to generation.
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]