The name Bela (Hebrew: בֶּלַע, meaning “destruction” or “swallowing”) is applied to at least three significant men in the Old Testament, representing both the chosen line of Jacob and the rejected line of Esau. The KJV record meticulously tracks both, showing that God’s providence extends even to the kings of foreign nations.
I. Bela, The First King of Edom
The first Bela mentioned in the Bible is a king of the Edomites, the descendants of Esau. This inclusion in the Book of Genesis is important because it shows that the Edomites had established a monarchy before the nation of Israel did, a historical note confirming the prophetic record.
“Now these are the kings that reigned in the land of Edom, before there reigned any king over the children of Israel. And Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom: and the name of his city was Dinhabah.” (Genesis 36:31-32, KJV).
- Esau’s Legacy: This Bela represents the legacy of Esau—a powerful, worldly kingdom established quickly, but ultimately outside the covenant promise. The Bible documents his reign and subsequent death: “And Bela died, and Jobab the son of Zerah of Bozrah reigned in his stead.” (Genesis 36:33, KJV).
- The Son of Beor: This Bela is the son of Beor, a name that may be related to the father of the prophet Balaam, highlighting a possible connection to the wider, non-Israelite prophetic and political landscape.
II. Bela, The Firstborn Son of Benjamin
In stark contrast to the Edomite king, Bela is also the name given to the firstborn son of Benjamin, Jacob’s youngest son. This Bela is a pivotal figure in the formation and organization of the tribe of Benjamin.
“And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.” (Genesis 46:21, KJV).
In the later genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles, Bela is further detailed as a head of a family house known for its strength:
“Now Benjamin begat Bela his firstborn… The sons of Bela were Addar, and Gera, and Abihud, And Abishua, and Naaman, and Ahoah, And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.” (1 Chronicles 8:1, 3-5, KJV).
- A Tribe of Valor: Bela’s descendants, the Belaites (Numbers 26:38), formed a powerful clan within Benjamin, the tribe from which Israel’s first king, Saul, would eventually come. This Bela represents the detailed preservation of the Lord’s covenant line.
III. Bela, The Reubenite Prince
A third Bela, a leader from the tribe of Reuben, is also noted in the genealogies, further illustrating the widespread use of the name and the meticulous nature of the record:
“And Bela the son of Azaz, the son of Shema, the son of Joel, who dwelt in Aroer, even unto Nebo and Baalmeon: … he was prince of the Reubenites.” (1 Chronicles 5:8, KJV).
This Bela was a chief in the Transjordan region, a position of power on the frontier, linking him to the historical context of the land’s settlement.