The Last Prince of the Tribe of Asher
The Identity: A Figure of Finality
Beera is a notable figure because he is identified in the Book of Chronicles as one of the last recorded leaders, or “chief of the princes,” within the tribe of Asher before the Assyrian deportation effectively ended the independent existence of the northern kingdom of Israel.
His name, Beera, is Hebrew and means “a well,” which may metaphorically suggest a source of sustenance or strength for his clan.
The Genealogy: Listed Among the Mighty
Beera is named in the detailed and complex genealogy of Asher, confirming his high standing within the tribe. He is listed as one of the sons of Zophah (or a related line), a group whose descendants were renowned for their military skill and leadership:
“The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah, Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.” (1 Chronicles 7:37, KJV)
The chronicler summarizes the significance of these individuals, directly applying this description to Beera and his brethren:
“All these were the children of Asher, heads of their father’s house, choice and mighty men of valour, chief of the princes.” (1 Chronicles 7:40, KJV)
Beera’s inclusion among these “choice and mighty men” confirms his role as a leader who possessed the necessary courage and authority to head his family and contribute to the tribe’s substantial military strength.
The Legacy: A Leader in Exile
Beera is specifically singled out with a unique distinction in the lineage of Asher:
“The sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel, who is the father of Birzavith. And Heber begat Japhlet, and Shomer, and Hotham, and Shua their sister. And the sons of Japhlet; Pasach, and Bimhal, and Ashvath. The children of Shamer; Ahi, and Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram. And the sons of his brother Helem; Zophah, and Imna, and Shelesh, and Amal. The sons of Zophah; Suah, and Harnepher, and Shual, and Beri, and Imrah, Bezer, and Hod, and Shamma, and Shilshah, and Ithran, and Beera.” (1 Chronicles 7:30-37, KJV)
The Chief Prince Carried Into Captivity
The Identity: A Leader of the Reubenites
The most notable figure named Beera in the KJV is recorded as the final leader of the tribe of Reuben before their devastating exile by the Assyrians. He is listed in the Book of Chronicles, which summarizes the history of the trans-Jordanian tribes:
“The sons of Shemaiah; Gog, and Shimei, and Micah, and Reaia, and Baal, and Beera his son, whom Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria carried away captive: he was prince of the Reubenites.” (1 Chronicles 5:4-6, KJV)
The Legacy: A Witness to Judgment
Beera’s identity is inextricably linked to the end of the Reubenite nation. He was the “prince of the Reubenites”—their highest civil leader—at the precise moment God’s judgment fell upon the northern tribes.
- The Final Name: His name is the final one recorded in this genealogy of Reuben, serving as a sad punctuation mark to the tribe’s history of rebellion and apostasy.
- A Symbol of Defeat: Beera did not lead his people to victory; instead, he was the visible head of the tribe when they were utterly defeated and deported by the Assyrian King Tilgath-pilneser (also known as Pul).
Beera’s life, therefore, serves as a powerful cautionary tale about accountability in leadership and the severe consequences of national unfaithfulness. He was the last of his line to rule, and his legacy is a solemn reminder that God uses foreign powers to execute judgment when His covenant people refuse to repent.