What role does naming play in expressing faith, as seen in this passage? Setting the Scene 1 Chronicles 7:20–24 recounts the family line of Ephraim. Two of Ephraim’s sons are killed by Philistines (v.21); afterward, his wife conceives again. “Then his wife conceived and bore a son, and he named him Beriah, because disaster had befallen his house.” (1 Chronicles 7:23) What “Beriah” Means • The name sounds like the Hebrew word for “misfortune,” “trouble,” or “calamity.” • By choosing this name, Ephraim turns personal tragedy into a testimony etched into his son’s identity. How Naming Becomes an Act of Faith • Acknowledgment of Reality – Ephraim does not hide the pain; the name Beriah openly memorializes it. • Confidence in God’s Redemption – In Scripture, naming rarely stops with sorrow. A name that marks loss also invites God to reverse it. – Later genealogy (1 Chronicles 7:24) notes that Ephraim’s daughter builds up cities—evidence that God brings fruit even after disaster. • Personal Reminder of Dependence – Every time Ephraim calls his son, he is reminded that only the Lord can turn “disaster” into blessing. A Repeated Biblical Pattern • Isaac — “Abraham called the name of his son… Isaac.” (Genesis 21:3) The name means “laughter,” capturing joy after a long wait. • Benjamin — Rachel names him Ben-oni (“son of my sorrow”), but Jacob renames him Benjamin (“son of the right hand”), shifting focus from grief to strength (Genesis 35:18). • Samuel — “She named him Samuel, saying, ‘Because I asked the LORD for him.’” (1 Samuel 1:20) The name keeps Hannah’s answered prayer in constant view. • Hosea’s Children — Names like Lo-Ammi (“not My people”) serve as prophetic signposts calling Israel back to covenant faithfulness (Hosea 1:9). • Jesus — “You shall give Him the name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21). The name proclaims His mission. • New Name Promised — “I will give him a white stone inscribed with a new name, known only to the one who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17). God’s final act of naming seals eternal identity. Why It Matters Today • Names carry testimony: they tell stories of what God has done or is expected to do. • Remembering pain within a name, as Ephraim did, can keep hearts humble and hopeful. • Declaring God’s character or promises in names (Jesus, Samuel) trains future generations to trust Him. • God ultimately names His people, showing that identity rests not in circumstances but in His sovereign grace. Key Takeaways • Naming is never merely administrative in Scripture; it is theological—an act of witnessing to God’s work. • Ephraim’s choice of “Beriah” models honest lament wrapped in expectancy: sorrow named, redemption anticipated. • Believers today can echo this practice by speaking God-centered meaning over children, circumstances, and ministries, trusting the Lord to transform “disaster” into lasting blessing. |
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