Lexical Summary beir: Well Original Word: בְּעִיר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beast, cattle From ba'ar (in the sense of eating): cattle -- beast, cattle. see HEBREW ba'ar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom baar Definition beasts, cattle NASB Translation animal (1), beasts (4), cattle (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [בְּעִיר] noun masculineEx 22:4 beasts, cattle, collective (Late Hebrew id., Aramaic id.,  , Ethiopic  etc., Sabean בער DHMZMG 1876, 674; 1883, 329; Arabic  of camel; also ass, etc., compare Lane227a; connection with above √ obscure) — suffix בְּעִירֹה Exodus 22:4, בְּעִירֵנוּ Numbers 20:4, בְּעִירְכָם Genesis 45:17, כְּעִירָם Numbers 20:8 2t.; — beasts of burden Genesis 45:17 (i.e. asses Genesis 44:3,13); elsewhere General, cattle Exodus 22:4; Numbers 20:4,8,11; Psalm 78:48 Topical Lexicon Biblical DistributionGenesis 45:17; Exodus 22:5; Numbers 20:4; Numbers 20:8; Numbers 20:11; Psalm 78:48. Patterns of Usage The word consistently denotes domesticated, herd-type animals that serve human households as beasts of burden, sources of food, and measures of wealth. In every occurrence the welfare of these creatures is inseparably tied to that of their owners, highlighting a shared destiny between people and their animals within God’s providential order. Agrarian Economy and Covenant Blessing Genesis 45:17 reflects Egypt’s advanced agrarian infrastructure: “Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Tell your brothers, “Do this: Load your beasts and return to the land of Canaan.”’”. Livestock enabled Jacob’s family to make the long journey that preserved the covenant line during famine. Possessing healthy animals was a concrete sign of God’s blessing upon the patriarchal household (compare Genesis 24:35; 30:43). Ethical Stewardship and Restitution Exodus 22:5 places livestock at the heart of Israel’s civil legislation: “If a man grazes his livestock in a field or vineyard and lets them stray and they graze in another man’s field, he must make restitution from the best of his own field or vineyard.”. The verse assumes that animals, once unleashed, naturally seek sustenance; therefore the onus lies on the owner to prevent damage to a neighbor’s livelihood. The law protects both property and social harmony, teaching that stewardship includes responsibility for the conduct of one’s animals. Divine Provision in the Wilderness Three occurrences cluster in Numbers 20, where the community faces deadly thirst. The people protest, “Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness, for us and our livestock to die here?” (Numbers 20:4). God answers not only for the congregation but for their herds: “You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.” (Numbers 20:8). Moses’ subsequent striking of the rock (verse 11) still supplies water, underscoring the Lord’s compassion even when human leaders falter. The passage reveals a God who values every living creature dependent on His covenant people (cf. Psalm 36:6). Instrument of Judgment Psalm 78:48 recalls the seventh plague: “He abandoned their cattle to the hail and their livestock to bolts of lightning.”. Livestock represent Egypt’s economic strength; their loss demonstrates the impotence of false gods and the supremacy of the LORD. By contrasting Egypt’s devastation with Israel’s preservation, the psalmist reinforces trust in God’s redeeming power. Pastoral and Prophetic Symbolism Because livestock embodied sustenance and wealth, prophets used them to depict future blessing (Ezekiel 34:25–31) or impending desolation (Jeremiah 14:5–6). In messianic expectation, abundance of pastures and thriving herds foreshadow the restoration of creation under the reign of the coming King (Isaiah 30:23–26). Theological Themes 1. Providence: God attends to the needs of both humans and animals (Psalm 104:14; Matthew 6:26), reinforcing His comprehensive care. Ministry Application • Stewardship: Congregations engaged in agriculture or modern business can glean principles of responsible management, restitution, and neighbor love. Summary Across its six appearances, בְּעִיר anchors narratives of deliverance, legislation, wilderness sustenance, and judgment. Livestock function as tangible reminders that the God of Scripture rules over every facet of life, providing, protecting, and calling His people to faithful stewardship until the consummation when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” Forms and Transliterations בְּעִ֣ירְכֶ֔ם בְּעִירָ֑ם בְּעִירָֽם׃ בְּעִירֹ֔ו בעירו בעירכם בעירם בעירם׃ וּבְעִירֵֽנוּ׃ וּבְעִירָֽם׃ ובעירם׃ ובעירנו׃ bə‘îrām bə‘îrəḵem bə‘îrōw bə·‘î·rām bə·‘î·rə·ḵem bə·‘î·rōw beiRam beIreChem beiRo ū·ḇə·‘î·rām ū·ḇə·‘î·rê·nū ūḇə‘îrām ūḇə‘îrênū uveiRam uveiRenuLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 45:17 HEB: טַֽעֲנוּ֙ אֶת־ בְּעִ֣ירְכֶ֔ם וּלְכוּ־ בֹ֖אוּ NAS: load your beasts and go KJV: ye; lade your beasts, and go, INT: Do load your beasts along get Exodus 22:5 Numbers 20:4 Numbers 20:8 Numbers 20:11 Psalm 78:48 6 Occurrences |
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