Interesting Facts

• Beeri was the father of Jehudith, who became one of the wives of Esau.
• Beeri was the son of Epher.
• Beeri was from the families of Heth, the son of Canaan.

Genealogy

• Beeri’s father was Epher.
• Beeri was the father of Jehudith.
• Through his daughter Jehudith, Beeri became the father-in-law of Esau.
• His lineage traces back to Heth, who was the son of Canaan.

Historical Context

Beeri lived in the land of Canaan during the time when the descendants of Abraham, including Isaac and his son Esau, were also dwelling in that region. The text identifies Beeri as being “from the families of Heth the son of Canaan“, situating him within the indigenous population of the land. The subsequent marriage of Beeri’s daughter, Jehudith, to Esau is recorded and is also noted in Genesis as a source of “grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah”. This reaction suggests a significant cultural or religious distinction between the lineage of Abraham and the Canaanite peoples, underscoring the implications of such intermarriages within the patriarchal narratives of the time. Therefore, Beeri’s existence and familial ties reflect the broader context of interactions and potential tensions between Abraham’s family and the established inhabitants of Canaan.

Narrative

Beeri himself does not have a direct narrative or any recorded actions or dialogues within the provided sources. His significance in the texts lies primarily in his genealogical role as the father of Jehudith, one of Esau’s wives. By identifying him as the son of Epher and belonging to the families of Heth, the text provides a clear lineage for Jehudith, connecting her directly to the Canaanite population. This genealogical information serves to contextualize Esau’s marriage choices and the subsequent reaction of his parents, Isaac and Rebekah. While Beeri remains a background figure, his lineage is crucial in understanding the ethnic and potential cultural dynamics of the marriages within Isaac’s family and the broader narrative of the interactions between the emerging Israelite lineage and the existing Canaanite communities.