An Ancestor in the Line of King Saul
The Identity: A Link in the Royal Genealogy
Bechorath is a very minor, yet historically significant, figure mentioned only once in the entire King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. He appears as part of the illustrious genealogy introducing Kish, the father of Israel’s first king, Saul.
The verse provides a careful, four-generation lineage to establish the pedigree of the man whose son would be chosen to rule Israel:
“Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.” (1 Samuel 9:1, KJV)
In this royal lineage, Bechorath is identified as the great-grandfather of Kish and the great-great-grandfather of King Saul.
The Meaning: Firstborn or Youthful
The name Bechorath (or Becorath) is related to the Hebrew root bkr, which means “firstborn” or “youthful.” This suggests that the name may have been given to signify his status within his own family branch or to reflect a promising quality of leadership in his youth.
The detailed nature of this genealogy is intentional. It establishes that Saul was not just any Benjamite, but a man from a distinguished family with a history of stature and power within the tribe, as the lineage concludes: “a mighty man of power.” Bechorath’s name is preserved as one of the vital links in this chain of strength and influence.
The Legacy: Unseen Foundations of Kingship
Like many figures found exclusively in genealogical lists, Bechorath’s contribution is not based on a single action but on his faithfulness in continuing a righteous family line.
- He upheld the lineage: His existence ensured the perpetuation of the family unit that would eventually produce the individual God chose to be the first king.
- He represents the unseen work: Bechorath represents the foundation laid by countless faithful ancestors who quietly raised families, maintained their tribal identity, and instilled the character (the “mighty man of power” lineage) that God later used for His national purposes.
Bechorath’s legacy reminds us that even the most fleeting mention in Scripture serves a purpose: documenting the providential groundwork laid by generations of men and women who were necessary for God’s grand narrative to unfold.