The Place of Hail and the Ancestor of Ephraim
The name Bered (Hebrew: Baraḏ) literally means “hail” or “hailstone.” The name appears in two distinct sections of Scripture, referring to either an ancestral figure or a place near the southern desert border of Canaan.
1. Bered as an Ancestor of Ephraim
In the meticulous genealogies of the post-exilic community, a figure named Bered appears in the family line of the tribe of Ephraim, the son of Joseph. These records track the growth and geographical spread of the tribes before their conquest of Canaan.
“And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,” (1 Chronicles 7:20, KJV)
This places Bered as the grandson of Ephraim through Shuthelah. The importance of Bered here is not in any personal narrative, but in his function as a crucial link in the chain that establishes the inheritance rights and family houses of the large and powerful tribe of Ephraim. His name helps demonstrate the completeness and accuracy of the tribal records, which were vital for maintaining the land division of Canaan.
2. Bered as a Location on the Border
The second, and perhaps more geographically significant, mention of Bered is as a place name, marking a critical location in the borderlands of the Negev desert, near the well Lachai-roi (meaning “well of him that liveth and seeth me”).
This location is mentioned in the story of Hagar, Abraham’s concubine, who fled from Sarah after Sarah treated her harshly. An angel of the Lord found Hagar by a fountain in the wilderness:
“And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself to her hands. … Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.” (Genesis 16:9, 14, KJV)
This place, situated between Kadesh and Bered, defined the southern limit of the Promised Land, near the territory of the Ishmaelites. The fact that this place was named Bered (“Hail”) might reflect a local geographical feature, or perhaps a significant historical event involving a destructive hailstorm in that region.
A Lesson in Marking Boundaries
The dual use of the name Bered serves as a reminder of God’s meticulous attention to both the personal and the geographical boundaries of His covenant people. Whether as an ancestral link in a tribe or as a marker on the desert frontier, the name Bered confirms that God knows and records every detail:
- He establishes the boundaries of the families who are His inheritance (1 Chronicles 7:20).
- He establishes the geographical limits of the land promised to His people (Genesis 16:14).
In both contexts, Bered illustrates the divine order that governed the life and territory of Israel.