Interesting Facts

• Beriah is identified as one of the four sons born to Asher by his wife Hadurah.
• His mother, Hadurah, was also the mother of Serach through a previous marriage to Malkiel.
• Beriah had three full brothers: Yimnah, Yishvah, and Yishvi.
• The sources also mention that Beriah himself had sons, Heber and Malchiel.
• Like his brothers, the primary information regarding Beriah in the provided texts is genealogical, with no specific actions or speeches attributed to him directly.

Genealogy

• Beriah was the son of Asher, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, making Jacob his grandfather.
• His mother was Hadurah, the second wife of Asher, who was the daughter of Abimael, a descendant of Shem.
• He had three full brothers: Yimnah, Yishvah (also called Ishuah), and Yishvi (also called Isui).
• His mother also had a daughter from her first marriage to Malkiel, named Serach, making her Beriah’s half-sister.
• Beriah himself fathered two sons: Heber and Malchiel. These sons are listed among the offspring of Asher who dwelt in Egypt.

Historical Context

Beriah’s life, as it can be gleaned from these ancient records, would have been situated within the critical period of the Israelite migration to and settlement in Egypt. Born to Asher and Hadurah in the land of Canaan, he would have been part of the extended family of Jacob that sought refuge in Egypt due to the severe famine. This migration, facilitated by his uncle Joseph’s prominent position in Egypt, would have been a defining event. The sources suggest that the family of Jacob, including Asher and his sons like Beriah, initially enjoyed a time of security and prosperity in the land of Goshen. The patriarchal structure of their society is evident in the detailed attention paid to lineage and the recording of descendants. The intermarriage of Jacob’s sons, as seen in Asher’s union with Hadurah, a woman with previous familial connections, indicates the broader cultural interactions within their historical context.

Narrative

The personal narrative of Beriah within the selected sources is largely confined to his presence in genealogical listings that document the family of Jacob who went down to Egypt. He is mentioned as one of the sons of Asher. Unlike his uncle Joseph, whose story of betrayal and eventual rise to power in Egypt forms a significant part of the narrative, or even his half-niece Serach who played a role in informing Jacob of Joseph’s survival, Beriah does not have individual actions or dialogues recorded. His significance in the narrative is primarily as a member of the tribe of Asher, contributing to its lineage and growth during their time in Egypt. His inclusion in the lists of those who journeyed to Egypt signifies his participation in this crucial event for the family of Jacob, but the narrative spotlight remains on other, more prominent figures whose actions shaped the early history of the Israelites.