בֶּרֶד

בֶּרֶד

Bered, the name of a place south of Palestine, also of an Israelite

Definition

Bered is a proper noun referring to both a geographical location and a personal name in the Old Testament. As a place name, it is identified as a site south of Palestine, mentioned in Genesis 16:14 as being located between Kadesh and Bered, associated with the well where Hagar encountered the angel of the Lord. As a personal name, Bered appears in 1 Chronicles 7:20 as a descendant of Ephraim, the son of Shuthelah. The two distinct references highlight its dual usage within the biblical narrative.

Biblical Usage

The word Bered is used only twice in the Old Testament, each in a different context and book. In Genesis 16:14, it functions as a geographical marker in the story of Hagar's flight, specifying a location in the wilderness. In 1 Chronicles 7:20, it is used as the name of an individual within a genealogical list of the tribe of Ephraim. There is no broader pattern of usage beyond these two isolated instances.

Etymology

Bered (בֶּרֶד) is derived from the Hebrew root בָּרַד (barad, H1258), which means 'hail.' As a proper noun, it likely originated as a descriptive place name, possibly meaning 'Hail' or 'Place of Hail,' perhaps referring to a location known for hailstorms or using hail symbolically. Its connection to a personal name may indicate it was adopted from the place or carried a symbolic meaning related to the root.

Semantic Range

While Bered itself is not a theologically loaded term, its appearance in Genesis 16:14 places it within the pivotal narrative of God's care for Hagar and the promise regarding Ishmael. The location serves as a geographical anchor in a story demonstrating God's faithfulness and provision to the marginalized. Understanding its meaning ('hail') might subtly connect to themes of divine intervention or natural phenomena under God's control, though this is implicit. As a place name in Genesis, Bered's location 'south of Palestine' situates it in the arid Negev or wilderness region, an area of significance for nomadic journeys and divine encounters. Naming places after natural elements like hail was common, possibly reflecting local climate or events. As a personal name in Chronicles, it follows the Israelite practice of using words from nature or circumstances for names, embedding family identity within the broader cultural and natural world. As a proper noun for a place or person, Bered has no direct synonyms. For the concept of 'hail' from its root, see: barad (בָּרַד, H1258) — the common noun for hail.

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