This verse is part of a genealogy, specifically tracing the descendants of Ephraim in 1 Chronicles 7. Let's break down the meaning piece by piece:
"He went in to his wife, and she conceived, and bore a son...": This is a standard, formulaic phrase indicating that a sexual union occurred between a husband and wife, leading to conception and the birth of a son. It simply establishes the birth of a male heir.
"...and he named him Beriah...": The son was named Beriah. Names in the Bible often held significance, reflecting circumstances or hopes.
"...because there was trouble with his house.": This is the crucial part. The name Beriah means "in misfortune" or "in trouble." This verse implies that the events surrounding the birth, or perhaps the general state of Ephraim's family at the time, were difficult or marked by some kind of hardship.
Interpretations and Potential Troubles:
The "trouble with his house" is not explicitly defined in the verse. Possible interpretations include:
Family Disputes/Internal Strife: There might have been conflict, disagreement, or internal discord within Ephraim's immediate family.
External Threats/Losses: Ephraim could have suffered a significant loss, such as the death of other sons (possibly mentioned in the preceding verses which references his sons killed trying to steal cattle), defeat in battle, or economic hardship, which caused distress to the household.
Social Problems: The family might have faced challenges related to their social standing, reputation, or relationship with the surrounding community.
General Misfortune: It could simply be a period of general bad luck or hardship affecting the family.
Significance:
The verse highlights that:
Family history isn't always smooth. Even within the lineage of important biblical figures, there were periods of difficulty and suffering.
Names can be powerful reminders of events or circumstances. Beriah's name served as a constant reminder of the troubles surrounding his birth.
The author of Chronicles is interested in more than just names and lineage; he includes brief narratives that provide context and meaning to the genealogy.
In Conclusion:
The verse explains that Beriah was named because his birth was associated with a time of significant trouble for his father, Ephraim's family. The exact nature of this trouble is not specified, but it was serious enough to warrant a name that reflected the misfortune.
This verse is part of a genealogy, specifically tracing the descendants of Ephraim in 1 Chronicles 7. Let's break down the meaning piece by piece:
"He went in to his wife, and she conceived, and bore a son...": This is a standard, formulaic phrase indicating that a sexual union occurred between a husband and wife, leading to conception and the birth of a son. It simply establishes the birth of a male heir.
"...and he named him Beriah...": The son was named Beriah. Names in the Bible often held significance, reflecting circumstances or hopes.
"...because there was trouble with his house.": This is the crucial part. The name Beriah means "in misfortune" or "in trouble." This verse implies that the events surrounding the birth, or perhaps the general state of Ephraim's family at the time, were difficult or marked by some kind of hardship.
Interpretations and Potential Troubles:
The "trouble with his house" is not explicitly defined in the verse. Possible interpretations include:
Family Disputes/Internal Strife: There might have been conflict, disagreement, or internal discord within Ephraim's immediate family.
External Threats/Losses: Ephraim could have suffered a significant loss, such as the death of other sons (possibly mentioned in the preceding verses which references his sons killed trying to steal cattle), defeat in battle, or economic hardship, which caused distress to the household.
Social Problems: The family might have faced challenges related to their social standing, reputation, or relationship with the surrounding community.
General Misfortune: It could simply be a period of general bad luck or hardship affecting the family.
Significance:
The verse highlights that:
Family history isn't always smooth. Even within the lineage of important biblical figures, there were periods of difficulty and suffering.
Names can be powerful reminders of events or circumstances. Beriah's name served as a constant reminder of the troubles surrounding his birth.
The author of Chronicles is interested in more than just names and lineage; he includes brief narratives that provide context and meaning to the genealogy.
In Conclusion:
The verse explains that Beriah was named because his birth was associated with a time of significant trouble for his father, Ephraim's family. The exact nature of this trouble is not specified, but it was serious enough to warrant a name that reflected the misfortune.