בְּאֵרִי

בְּאֵרִי

Beeri, the name of a Hittite and of an Israelite

Definition

Beeri is a proper name meaning 'my well' or 'fountained,' belonging to two distinct individuals in the Old Testament. First, Beeri is the Hittite father of Judith, one of Esau's wives (Genesis 26:34). Second, Beeri is the father of the prophet Hosea (Hosea 1:1). The name's meaning, derived from the word for 'well' (be'er), likely signified a source of life or blessing, a common theme in Hebrew naming conventions. While the two bearers share the same name, their contexts are vastly different—one connected to Esau's intermarriage, the other to the lineage of a significant prophet.

Biblical Usage

The name Beeri appears only twice in the Old Testament, in two different contexts and books. In Genesis 26:34, it identifies the Hittite father of Judith, highlighting Esau's marriage outside the covenant family, which grieved his parents. In Hosea 1:1, it identifies the father of the prophet Hosea, providing the prophet's paternal lineage at the opening of his book. There is no narrative connection between these two figures; the usage is solely for personal identification within genealogical or prophetic introductory formulas.

Etymology

Beeri (בְּאֵרִי) is a patronymic or personal name derived from the common noun be'er (בְּאֵר, H875), meaning 'well' or 'pit.' The '-i' suffix is a first-person singular possessive ending, making the name mean 'my well.' It is related to the verb ba'ar (to dig or explain), connecting the idea of a well to a source of water, life, and clarity. Similar constructed names include 'Eli' ('my God') and 'Avi' ('my father').

Semantic Range

While the name itself is not theologically loaded, its two bearers situate it within significant theological narratives. The Hittite Beeri connects to the theme of covenant compromise through Esau's marriage, a source of family strife (Genesis 26:35). The Israelite Beeri, as father of Hosea, links to the prophetic message of God's faithful love for an unfaithful people. Understanding the name's meaning ('my well') can enrich reading Hosea, as God is the true well of living water, contrasting with the broken 'wells' Israel pursued. In ancient Semitic culture, names derived from water sources like 'well' were highly significant, as wells were vital for survival, symbolized life, and were often sites of covenant encounters (e.g., Genesis 21, 26). A name meaning 'my well' could express gratitude for or dependence on a life-giving source. The Hittite Beeri reflects the interconnected, multicultural world of Canaan where Israelites and other peoples like the Hittites intermingled, sometimes through marriage. Be'er (בְּאֵר, H875) — the root noun meaning 'well' or 'pit,' without the possessive suffix. Mayim (מַיִם, H4325) — the general word for 'water,' not a constructed source like a well. Ayin (עַיִן, H5869) — can mean 'spring' or 'fountain,' a natural water source as opposed to a dug well.

Word Details