Beeri: Father of Hosea
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Beeri is a biblical figure recognized as the father of the prophet Hosea, one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament. His name, Beeri, is derived from the Hebrew word "Be'er," meaning "well" or "fountain," suggesting a connotation of abundance or source. Beeri's mention in the Bible is brief, yet his significance is underscored by his connection to Hosea, whose prophetic ministry played a crucial role in the spiritual narrative of Israel.

Biblical Reference:
Beeri is mentioned explicitly in the opening verse of the Book of Hosea: "The word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel" (Hosea 1:1). This introduction situates Beeri within the historical context of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, during a time of significant political and spiritual turmoil.

Historical and Cultural Context:
The period during which Beeri lived was marked by idolatry and moral decline in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Hosea's prophetic messages, which Beeri would have been aware of as his father, were directed towards calling the Israelites back to faithfulness to Yahweh. The name Beeri, meaning "well," may symbolically reflect the spiritual depth and resourcefulness required to raise a prophet like Hosea in such challenging times.

Theological Significance:
While Beeri himself is not the focus of any specific biblical narrative, his role as the father of Hosea places him within the lineage of those who contributed to the spiritual heritage of Israel. Hosea's prophecies, which include themes of divine love, judgment, and redemption, are foundational to understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. Beeri's mention serves as a reminder of the familial and generational influences that shape prophetic voices.

Tradition and Interpretation:
Jewish tradition sometimes associates Beeri with the Beeri mentioned in Genesis 26:34, the father of Judith, one of Esau's wives. However, this connection is speculative and not widely accepted in Christian scholarship. The brevity of Beeri's mention in the biblical text has led to limited historical information, but his legacy is preserved through the impactful ministry of his son, Hosea.

In summary, Beeri's significance in the Bible, though primarily as a paternal figure, is integral to the narrative of Hosea's prophetic mission. His mention in the scriptures highlights the importance of familial lineage in the unfolding of God's plan for His people.
Nave's Topical Index
Hosea 1:1
The word of the LORD that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew
882. Beeri -- "my well," the name of a Hittite, also of Hosea's ...
... Beeri. 883 . "my well," the name of a Hittite, also of Hosea's father.
Transliteration: Beeri Phonetic Spelling: (be-ay-ree') Short Definition: Beeri. ...
/hebrew/882.htm - 6k
Library

"And the Word was with God, and the Word was God. "
... so the Son, the Word, of whom we are now theologizing, came to Hosea, sent to him
by the Father; historically, that is to say, to the son of Beeri, the prophet ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/1 and the word was.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... nothing except that he was the son of Beeri, for the ... the word is translated "idolatrous
priests;" in Hosea 10:5 ... God, who is the brightness of the Father's glory ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... his son, [2054] and Hosea the son of Beeri, and Jonas the ... Up to his times Esaias,
Hosea, and Micah continued ... [2057] Then Chelkias the priest, the father of the ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the ... had suffered much through Jehoash
the father of Jeroboam ... the sphere of human calculation, as Hosea himself here ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... completed that rehabilitation of Israel, of which his father had but ... midst of Ephraim,
another seer, this time a priest, Hosea, son of Beeri,** was never ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Resources
Summary of the Book of Hosea - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

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Beeri: A Hittite
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