1003. biyraniyth
Lexical Summary
biyraniyth: Citadel, Fortress

Original Word: בִּירָנִית
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: biyraniyth
Pronunciation: bee-rah-neeth'
Phonetic Spelling: (bee-raw-neeth')
KJV: castle
Word Origin: [from H1002 (בִּירָה - citadel)]

1. a fortress

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
castle

From biyrah; a fortress -- castle.

see HEBREW biyrah

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[בִּירָנִית] noun feminine fortress, fortified place (late); only plural absolute בִּירָנִיּוֺת וְעָרֵי מִסְכְּנוֺת2Chronicles 17:12 built by Jehoshaphat; וּמִגְדָּלִים ׳בּ2Chronicles 27:4 built by Jotham.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

בִּירָנִית (biraniyth) designates a fortified structure of considerable strength—more than a simple wall, less than a full royal citadel. It surfaces twice, both times within the Chronicler’s record of godly Judean kings: Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:12) and Jotham (2 Chronicles 27:4). In each context the term highlights intentional, large-scale efforts to secure Judah’s territorial integrity, encourage economic prosperity, and model wise stewardship under covenant obedience.

Biblical Usage

2 Chronicles 17:12: “Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.”
2 Chronicles 27:4: “He also built towns in the hill country of Judah and fortresses and towers in the wooded areas.”

In the first instance biraniyth underscores Jehoshaphat’s administrative reforms and military preparedness after his sweeping spiritual renewal (2 Chronicles 17:7-9). In the second, it underscores Jotham’s strategic expansion into the highlands, complementing his construction on the temple’s upper gate (2 Chronicles 27:3).

Historical Context

During the ninth and eighth centuries BC, Judah faced pressure from Aram, Philistia, and later the rising Assyrian power. Fortified installations—often located on elevated terrain—protected supply routes, stored provisions (hence the pairing with “store cities”), and projected royal authority into the hinterlands. Archaeological parallels include multi-chambered gates, casemate walls, and corner towers at sites such as Lachish and Ramat Rahel, illustrating the kind of architecture likely called biraniyth. Kings who “walked in the ways of David” typically combined these public-works programs with vigorous religious reform, demonstrating that trust in the LORD and prudent defense were not mutually exclusive.

Theological Significance

1. Dependence and Responsibility: Scripture consistently presents God as the ultimate fortress (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 46:1), yet does not condemn the construction of physical strongholds when undertaken in humility and obedience. Jehoshaphat’s fortified network follows his nationwide teaching of the Law, illustrating the balance of divine reliance and human diligence.
2. Covenant Blessing: Chronicler theology links national security to covenant faithfulness (2 Chronicles 15:2; 2 Chronicles 17:3-5). The appearance of biraniyth in accounts of righteous kings reinforces the principle that spiritual reform invites tangible blessing, including military stability.
3. Foreshadowing Spiritual Strongholds: New-Testament exhortations to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10-18) and to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) echo the imagery. The believer is called to erect spiritual biraniyth—structures of truth, righteousness, and faith—to withstand hostile powers.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Leadership: Like Jehoshaphat and Jotham, modern leaders are to fortify communities—spiritually through sound doctrine and practically through prudent planning.
• Discipleship: Local churches can view discipleship pathways, accountability relationships, and biblical literacy as strategic strongholds that guard against doctrinal drift.
• Prayer and Intercession: Intercessory prayer forms a biraniyth around families, congregations, and nations, aligning with Psalm 127:1: “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.”

Related Themes and Passages

Psalm 27:1; Psalm 91:2; Proverbs 18:10—God as protective stronghold

2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Kings 9:15—Other royal fortification projects

Nehemiah 3; Nehemiah 4—Community participation in wall-building

Isaiah 26:1—“We have a strong city; God appoints salvation for walls and bulwarks.”

Conclusion

בִּירָנִית, though rare, illuminates a pattern of faithful kings who combine spiritual renewal with strategic defense. The term calls readers to cultivate both physical responsibility and unwavering trust in the LORD, building enduring strongholds that honor Him and safeguard His people.

Forms and Transliterations
בִּֽירָנִיּ֖וֹת בִּירָנִיּ֖וֹת בירניות bî·rā·nî·yō·wṯ biraniYot bîrānîyōwṯ
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Chronicles 17:12
HEB: וַיִּ֧בֶן בִּֽיהוּדָ֛ה בִּירָנִיּ֖וֹת וְעָרֵ֥י מִסְכְּנֽוֹת׃
NAS: and he built fortresses and store
KJV: in Judah castles, and cities
INT: built Judah fortresses cities and store

2 Chronicles 27:4
HEB: וּבֶחֳרָשִׁ֣ים בָּנָ֔ה בִּֽירָנִיּ֖וֹת וּמִגְדָּלִֽים׃
NAS: and he built fortresses and towers
KJV: he built castles and towers.
INT: the wooded built fortresses and towers

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1003
2 Occurrences


bî·rā·nî·yō·wṯ — 2 Occ.

1002
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