1 Chronicles 7 23

1 Chronicles 7:23 kjv

And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.

1 Chronicles 7:23 nkjv

And when he went in to his wife, she conceived and bore a son; and he called his name Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house.

1 Chronicles 7:23 niv

Then he made love to his wife again, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. He named him Beriah, because there had been misfortune in his family.

1 Chronicles 7:23 esv

And Ephraim went in to his wife, and she conceived and bore a son. And he called his name Beriah, because disaster had befallen his house.

1 Chronicles 7:23 nlt

Afterward Ephraim slept with his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. Ephraim named him Beriah because of the tragedy his family had suffered.

1 Chronicles 7 verses

1 Chronicles 7 23 Meaning

This verse describes a poignant moment in the lineage of Ephraim, one of Joseph's sons. After the tragic death of several of his sons by the men of Gath, Ephraim's wife conceived and bore another son. This son was named Beriah, a name directly reflective of the profound sorrow and calamity that had befallen their household. It signifies that even amidst deep affliction, the family line continued, acknowledging the pain endured while still receiving a new life as a gift.

1 Chronicles 7 23 Context

First Chronicles chapter 7 primarily details the genealogies of the northern tribes: Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher. These lists were significant for the post-exilic community in Jerusalem, establishing their lineage, tribal identity, land rights, and connection to the covenant promises of God, particularly as they re-established their presence in the land of Israel.

Verse 23 falls within the Ephraimite lineage. Verses 20-22 detail Ephraim's sons and then abruptly state a tragic event: his sons Ezer and Elead were killed by the "men of Gath," seemingly during an early attempt to raid or settle land that belonged to the Gittites. This incident predates the major conquest under Joshua and highlights the inherent dangers and challenges of settling the promised land, even for prominent tribes. This particular detail stands out in the otherwise dry lists, underscoring the severity of the loss. Following this tragedy, verse 23 shows the family's continuation, marked by the birth of Beriah. This segment of the genealogy demonstrates how even through deep national or tribal trauma and loss, God preserved the continuity of the Israelite tribes, underscoring resilience and divine faithfulness in lineage continuation.

1 Chronicles 7 23 Word Analysis

• And he went in to her again: Signifies the continuation of the marital relationship and the pursuit of procreation after a significant, likely mournful, event. The "again" implies a resumption or new beginning after the previous disruption caused by the loss of sons.

• and she conceived, and bare a son: Standard biblical phrase denoting successful procreation, emphasizing divine blessing and continuation of the lineage.

• and he called his name Beriah: The naming of the child by the father, a common practice in ancient Israel, indicating the father's authority and role in bestowing identity and memory.

• Beriah (בְּרִיעָה, Beri'ah): The meaning of this name is central to the verse. It is typically derived from the Hebrew root raʿa (רַע), meaning "evil," "calamity," "misfortune," "harm," or "trouble." The prefixed "B-Y" might imply "in trouble," "with evil," or "with misfortune." Thus, Beriah signifies "in evil" or "in misfortune," directly associating his birth with the preceding tragedy.

• because it went evil with his house: (כִּי בְרָעָה הָיְתָה בְּבֵיתוֹ, kiy b'ra'ah hayəthah b'beytô)

  • because (כִּי, kiy): This conjunction explains the reason for the preceding statement, specifically the naming of Beriah.
  • it went evil (בְרָעָה, b'ra'ah): Literally "in/with evil/misfortune." This reiterates the core meaning embedded in Beriah's name. The Hebrew word ra' (רַע) is comprehensive, encompassing moral evil, physical harm, adversity, distress, and disaster. Here it points to a calamitous event that afflicted the family.
  • with his house (הָיְתָה בְּבֵיתוֹ, hayətah b'beytô): "was in his house" or "happened to his house." "House" (בַּיִת, bayit) in biblical Hebrew refers not just to a dwelling but crucially to the family, household, or lineage. So, the evil happened to his family or lineage. The phrase emphasizes the familial scope of the tragedy that led to the child's significant name.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And he went in to her again... called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house": This phrase illustrates a pattern found throughout biblical genealogies: names are often given as direct reflections of circumstances surrounding a birth or significant events in the family. It highlights the deeply personal and emotional nature behind the continuation of a lineage, not just dry statistics. It serves as a stark reminder of affliction while simultaneously celebrating new life.

1 Chronicles 7 23 Bonus Section

This seemingly small detail, inserted amidst genealogical lists, holds significant weight because it serves multiple purposes for the Chronicler and his original audience. First, it offers a poignant illustration of the human cost of settling the land of Canaan, reminding readers of the struggles and sacrifices involved beyond military victories. Second, it demonstrates the vital role of individual lives and names in the larger story of God's covenant with Israel; even a name stemming from sorrow plays a part in the unfolding lineage. Lastly, it implicitly affirms the sovereignty of God, who, even when disaster strikes and "evil goes with a house," still orchestrates the continuation of life and purpose, often turning times of deep affliction into opportunities for new beginnings, marked by unique providence.

1 Chronicles 7 23 Commentary

1 Chronicles 7:23 is a deeply human moment embedded within a long list of genealogies. It breaks the usual brevity of names and lineages to underscore a significant sorrow. The death of Ephraim's sons at the hands of the men of Gath represents a severe blow to his household and tribe, illustrating the precariousness of life and the dangers faced by the Israelites in securing their inheritance. Yet, even in the midst of this profound grief, the narrative shows resilience and hope through the birth of Beriah. His name, "in misfortune," acts as a permanent memorial to the family's suffering, but the very act of his birth signifies divine grace allowing continuity after loss. This brief account reassures the post-exilic audience, who also faced national trauma and uncertainty, that despite calamities and brokenness, God ensures the survival and renewal of His chosen people. It also reminds us that even when sorrow becomes intertwined with joy, God's faithfulness enables life to proceed.