Lexical Summary Bakri: Bakri Original Word: בַּכְרִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bachrites Patronymically from Beker; a Bakrite (collectively) or descendants of Beker -- Bachrites. see HEBREW Beker NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Beker Definition desc. of Becher NASB Translation Becherites (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs בַּכְּרִי adjective, of a people with article as collective noun Numbers 26:35. Topical Lexicon Scriptural Setting Bakri appears once in the Old Testament, in the record of the second wilderness census: “These were the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: the Shuthalhite clan from Shuthelah, the Bekerite clan from Beker, and the Tahanite clan from Tahan” (Numbers 26:35). The term designates the clan-name derived from the forefather Beker within the tribe of Ephraim. Genealogical Context within Ephraim 1. Descent from Joseph. Ephraim, younger son of Joseph, inherited a dominant position among the northern tribes (Genesis 48:19). The Bakri clan therefore shares in Joseph’s unique double portion, granted when Jacob adopted Ephraim and Manasseh. Covenantal and Tribal Role • Land Inheritance. By clan, the Bakrites would later receive allotments within Ephraim’s territory (Joshua 16; 17). Though Scripture does not single out their specific towns, clan boundaries determined individual homesteads, agricultural prospects, and responsibilities to local Levitical cities. Theological and Christological Reflections The root בכר carries the thought of “firstborn.” Jacob’s blessing declared Ephraim “the fullness of the nations” (Genesis 48:19), foreshadowing the Messiah who is “the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29). The Bakri clan thus stands within a trajectory that highlights: Ministry Applications 1. Valuing Hidden Faithfulness. Though mentioned only once, the Bakri clan contributed men, tithes, and service. Congregations today may draw comfort that the Lord records and rewards even the most obscure acts of faithfulness. Historical Trajectory After settlement, Ephraim’s fortunes rose and fell with the northern kingdom. Although the Bakri name disappears from later narratives, the clan’s legacy endured through land holdings and familial lines integrated into Israel’s broader story. The eventual exile of the north (2 Kings 17) scattered its clans, yet prophetic hope anticipated restoration (Jeremiah 31:20; Hosea 11:8). The Bakrites, along with all Ephraim, are embraced in that promise of return and renewal. Summary Bakri designates the Bekerite clan in Ephraim—counted, allotted, and woven into the covenant people at a pivotal moment in Israel’s journey. Its brief biblical appearance invites reflection on the significance of every family unit within God’s redemptive plan, the faithfulness of the Lord to record names, and the ultimate fulfillment of firstborn blessing in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations הַבַּכְרִ֑י הבכרי hab·baḵ·rî habbachRi habbaḵrîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 26:35 HEB: לְבֶ֕כֶר מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַבַּכְרִ֑י לְתַ֕חַן מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת NAS: the family of the Becherites; of Tahan, KJV: the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, INT: of Becher the family of the Becherites of Tahan the family 1 Occurrence |