בְּאֵרָה

בְּאֵרָה

Beerah, an Israelite

Definition

Beerah is a proper name referring to a Reubenite chieftain who was taken into exile by the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser (1 Chronicles 5:6). The name itself means 'a well' or 'an expounder,' derived from the Hebrew root for 'well' (בְּאֵר). As a personal name, it likely carried a positive connotation of being a source of wisdom or refreshment, similar to the function of a well in the ancient Near East. The biblical record mentions him specifically in the context of the Transjordanian tribes' unfaithfulness and subsequent captivity.

Biblical Usage

The name Beerah is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 5:6. It identifies a leader ('prince') of the tribe of Reuben. His mention is directly tied to the historical account of the Assyrian exile, emphasizing the consequence of the tribe's idolatry. The usage is purely historical and genealogical, serving to document a specific individual within the Reubenite lineage at the time of a major national disaster.

Etymology

Beerah (בְּאֵרָה) is a proper noun derived from the common Hebrew noun בְּאֵר (be'er, H875), meaning 'a well' or 'pit.' It is the feminine form of the name Beera (בְּאֵרָא, H878). The root is associated with digging and accessing water, a vital resource. As a personal name, it follows a common Hebrew pattern where names are derived from nouns describing desirable attributes or blessings, implying the person is a 'source' of something valuable.

Semantic Range

While the name Beerah itself is not theologically loaded, its single biblical appearance carries significant thematic weight. He is recorded as a prince taken captive because the people 'broke faith with the God of their fathers' (1 Chronicles 5:25). His story is a tangible example of the covenant curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28), specifically the curse of exile. Understanding this context turns a simple name into a marker of divine judgment on idolatry, reinforcing the Chronicler's theme of faithfulness determining national fate. In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and descriptive. Naming someone Beerah ('a well') likely expressed a hope that the child would be a source of life, wisdom, or blessing to the community, much as a well was a source of physical life in an arid land. His title as a 'prince' indicates a leadership role within his tribe. His capture by Assyria underscores the brutal reality of ancient warfare and deportation, where elite captives were taken to dismantle a nation's leadership and identity. Beera (Bᵉʼêrâʼ, H878) — The masculine form of the same name, borne by a son of Zophah (1 Chronicles 7:37).

Word Details