Berechiah בֶּרֶכְיָה
Ephraimite leader who opposed taking Judean captives
Who is Berechiah in the Bible?
Berechiah was an Ephraimite leader during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah who opposed the taking of Judean captives (2 Chronicles 28:12). When the northern kingdom of Israel captured approximately 200,000 Judeans during a military conflict and planned to enslave them, Berechiah and other Ephraimite leaders persuaded the Israeli army to release the prisoners instead (2 Chronicles 28:15). He and his colleagues provided the captives with clothing, food, and medical care before returning them to their homeland in Judah. Berechiah's intervention demonstrates an important moment of compassion and moral courage, showing that even during periods of conflict between Israel and Judah, some leaders prioritized humanitarian concerns and sought to preserve the bonds of kinship among God's people.
Biography
Berechiah was an Ephraimite leader who lived during the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. When Pekah, the king of Israel, and his army captured 200,000 Judeans and intended to bring them to Samaria as captives, Berechiah, along with other leaders of Ephraim, strongly opposed this action (2 Ch. 28:12). They urged the Israelite army to release the captives, providing them with clothing, food, and medical care before sending them back to Judah (2 Ch. 28:15). Berechiah's intervention demonstrates his compassion and his desire to maintain peace and unity among the people of Israel and Judah.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book2 Chronicles 1 verse
- 2 Chronicles 28:12
"Then some of the leaders of the Ephraimites—Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berechiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai—stood in opposition to those arriving from the war."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בֶּרֶכְיָה |