Beriah (Son of Asher)
A person in the Bible. Also called Beriah, Beriah son of Asher, Beriites.
| Classification | Biblical figure |
|---|---|
| Era | Late patriarchal period (around the time Jacob's household migrated to Egypt; dating varies among scholars) |
| Son | Heber, Malchiel |
| Siblings | Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi; sister Serah |
| Father | Asher |
| Biblical References | Genesis 46:17; Numbers 26:44-45; 1 Chronicles 7:30-31 |
Beriah was the fourth son of Asher, the son of Jacob. He was the father of Heber and Malchiel and became the ancestor of "the family of the Beriites" within the tribe of Asher.
About this articleAI draft from a Korean source. Notes on Korean Protestant practice. No sources listed. Not yet reviewed by a person.
- Origin
Drafted by AI from the Korean church.wiki article, then translated and adapted for English readers on 5 November 2026.
- Perspective
Includes notes on Korean Protestant practice; other traditions are noted where they differ.
- Sources
None listed yet. The article draws on the biblical text and general reference works. Add a source
- Review
Not yet reviewed by a person. Last edited by a person: never. Translation updated 5 November 2026. Edit history
Biblical Record
Beriah was a son of Asher, the son of Jacob. Scripture mentions him only in genealogical passages and records none of his deeds or words.
- Genesis 46:17: He appears in the list of Jacob's household that went down to Egypt. After naming Asher's sons Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi, and Beriah, along with their sister Serah, the text also lists Beriah's sons Heber and Malchiel.
- Numbers 26:44-45: This passage, from the second census taken in the time of Moses, records the descendants of Asher by their families (that is, clans). Here "of Beriah, the family of the Beriites" appears as one branch of the tribe of Asher. The families of Heber and Malchiel, descended from his sons, are also listed separately.
- 1 Chronicles 7:30-31: He appears again as one of the sons of Asher. His sons are Heber and Malchiel, and the text adds that Malchiel was "the father of Birzavith." The verses that follow give the genealogy of Heber's descendants.
Significance in Scripture
Beriah's significance lies in his role as the ancestor of a clan within the tribe of Asher. That all three passages carry his line down to his sons' generation indicates that the house of Beriah continued as a distinct branch within the tribe. The New Testament does not mention him.
Interpretation and Discussion
- The omission of his brother Ishvah: Genesis 46 and 1 Chronicles 7 list four sons of Asher, but the clan list in Numbers 26 omits Ishvah, so Beriah appears third in that list. The text does not explain why Ishvah is left out.
- Meaning of the name: 1 Chronicles 7:23 explains that Ephraim named his son Beriah "because it went evil with his house." That account, however, concerns a different person, and Scripture does not explain the meaning of the name of Asher's son Beriah.
- Distinguishing others of the same name: Several people in the Old Testament bear this name, including the son of Ephraim (1 Chronicles 7:23), a Benjamite who was among the heads of the fathers of the inhabitants of Aijalon (1 Chronicles 8:13), and a son of the Levite Shimei (1 Chronicles 23:10). These are different people from Beriah the son of Asher.
Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this figure is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.
In Korean Protestant churches, Beriah is rarely treated on his own in sermons or Sunday school materials. Church members usually encounter the name while reading through the Bible, as they come to the genealogical passages of Genesis, Numbers, and 1 Chronicles.
Where Beriah (Son of Asher) appears
Three passages in the King James Version. Each opens in the Bible with a way back to this article.
- Genesis 46:17And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.
- Numbers 26:44–45Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the…
- 1 Chronicles 7:23, 30–31And 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.
See also 8
Is there a problem with this article? Report it
Log in to report. Reports are reviewed within 24 hours.
Discussion 0
Share corrections, other viewpoints or questions about this article.