1 Chronicles 7:23
And again he slept with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. So he named him Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house.
And again he slept with his wife
This phrase indicates a continuation of the marital relationship between Ephraim and his wife. In the biblical context, the act of sleeping with one's wife is often associated with the fulfillment of God's command to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28). It also reflects the intimacy and covenantal bond within marriage, as seen throughout Scripture.

and she conceived and gave birth to a son.
The conception and birth of a son are significant in the biblical narrative, often seen as a blessing from God (Psalm 127:3). Sons were particularly valued in ancient Israelite culture for carrying on the family name and inheritance. This event follows a period of mourning for Ephraim, suggesting a renewal of hope and continuation of his lineage.

So he named him Beriah,
Naming in the Bible often carries deep significance, reflecting circumstances of birth or prophetic insights. The name "Beriah" is derived from a root meaning "in trouble" or "misfortune," indicating the context of his birth. Names in Scripture frequently reveal character or destiny, as seen with figures like Jacob (Genesis 25:26) and Jesus (Matthew 1:21).

because tragedy had come upon his house.
This phrase refers to the earlier tragedy where Ephraim's sons were killed by the men of Gath (1 Chronicles 7:21). The naming of Beriah serves as a memorial to this sorrowful event. It highlights the theme of suffering and redemption, a recurring motif in the Bible, where God often brings restoration after loss, as seen in the stories of Job and Joseph.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ephraim
A prominent figure in the tribe of Ephraim, one of the sons of Joseph. His lineage is significant in the history of Israel.

2. Beriah
The son born to Ephraim after a time of tragedy, whose name means "in trouble" or "with disaster," reflecting the circumstances of his birth.

3. Ephraim's House
Refers to the family and descendants of Ephraim, who experienced a period of calamity leading to the naming of Beriah.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's Sovereignty in Trials
Even in times of disaster, God is sovereign and has a purpose for our trials. Ephraim's experience reminds us that God can bring new beginnings out of difficult circumstances.

The Significance of Names
In biblical times, names often reflected circumstances or prophetic insights. Beriah's name serves as a reminder of the trials his family faced, but also of God's faithfulness in continuing the lineage.

Hope and Restoration
Despite the disaster, the birth of Beriah signifies hope and the continuation of God's promises to His people. We can trust in God's restorative power in our own lives.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Ephraim's account encourages believers to remain faithful during adversity, trusting that God is working for our good even when we cannot see it.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the naming of Beriah reflect the circumstances of Ephraim's family, and what can we learn about the importance of names in the Bible?

2. In what ways does Ephraim's experience of disaster and subsequent blessing mirror the broader account of Israel's history?

3. How can we apply the lesson of God's sovereignty in trials from Ephraim's account to our own lives today?

4. What other biblical figures experienced significant trials, and how did God use those situations for His purposes?

5. How can we find hope and encouragement in the midst of our own "disasters," drawing from the account of Ephraim and Beriah?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 41:52
This verse connects to the naming of Ephraim, which means "fruitful," highlighting the contrast between the prosperity associated with Ephraim's name and the disaster that led to the naming of Beriah.

Exodus 1:8-14
The oppression of the Israelites in Egypt can be seen as a parallel to the disaster that befell Ephraim's house, showing how God’s people often face trials.

Psalm 34:19
This verse speaks to the many afflictions of the righteous, yet God delivers them from all, offering hope amidst the disaster that Ephraim's family faced.
Divine CompensationsW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 7:20-24
GenealogiesF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 7, 8
GenealogiesJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 1-9
People
Abiah, Abiezer, Abijah, Aher, Ahi, Ahian, Ahishahar, Aiah, Alameth, Alemeth, Amal, Ammihud, Anathoth, Aniam, Ara, Arah, Aram, Asher, Ashriel, Ashvath, Asriel, Becher, Bedan, Beera, Bela, Benjamin, Bered, Beri, Beriah, Bezer, Bilhah, Bilhan, Bimhal, Birzavith, Chenaanah, Dan, David, Ehud, Eladah, Elead, Eliezer, Elioenai, Elishama, Ezbon, Ezer, Guni, Hammoleketh, Haniel, Hanniel, Harnepher, Heber, Helem, Hod, Hotham, Huppim, Huppites, Hushim, Hushites, Imna, Imnah, Imrah, Iri, Ishiah, Ishod, Ishuai, Issachar, Isshiah, Isuah, Ithran, Izrahiah, Jahmai, Jahziel, Japhlet, Jashub, Jediael, Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Jehubbah, Jephunneh, Jeremoth, Jeriel, Jerimoth, Jether, Jeush, Jezer, Jibsam, Jimna, Jimnah, Joash, Joel, Joseph, Joshua, Laadan, Likhi, Maacah, Maachah, Machir, Mahalah, Mahlah, Malchiel, Manasseh, Michael, Naphtali, Non, Nun, Obadiah, Omri, Pasach, Peresh, Pispah, Puah, Rakem, Rekem, Rephah, Rephaiah, Resheph, Rezia, Rohgah, Samuel, Serah, Shallum, Shamer, Shamma, Shaul, Shelesh, Shemer, Shemida, Shemidah, Shemuel, Sherah, Sheresh, Shillem, Shilshah, Shimrom, Shimron, Shomer, Shua, Shual, Shuppim, Shuppites, Shuthelah, Suah, Tahan, Tahath, Tarshish, Telah, Tharshish, Tola, Ulam, Ulla, Uzzi, Uzziel, Zabad, Zelophehad, Zemira, Zethan, Zophah
Places
Ayyah, Bethel, Beth-horon, Beth-shan, Dor, Gath, Gezer, Gilead, Heshbon, Megiddo, Naaran, Shechem, Taanach, Upper Beth-horon, Uzzen-sheerah
Topics
Bare, Beareth, Befallen, Beriah, Beri'ah, Birth, Bore, Born, Calamity, Calleth, Child, Conceived, Conceiveth, Connection, E'phraim, Evil, Family, Misfortune, Named, Pregnant, Trouble, Wife
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 7:14-40

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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