Original Word: בָּרִיחַ
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Bariyach
Pronunciation: bah-ree'-akh
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-ree'-akh)
KJV: Bariah
NASB: Bariah
Word Origin: [the same as H1281 (בָּרִיַח בָּרִַח - fleeing)]

1. Bariach, an Israelite

Bariah

The same as bariyach; Bariach, an Israelite -- Bariah.

see HEBREW bariyach

Word Origin
from barach
Definition
an Isr.
NASB Translation
Bariah (1).

II. בָּרִיחַ proper name, masculine son of Shemaiah 1 Chronicles 3:22.

Biblical Occurrence

Bariah is named once in the Hebrew Scriptures, appearing in the post-exilic genealogy of the Davidic line (1 Chronicles 3:22). “The sons of Shecaniah: Shemaiah and his sons—Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat—six in all” (Berean Standard Bible).

Position in the Davidic Genealogy

The Chronicler traces David’s descendants through the Babylonian captivity down to his own generation. Bariah falls four generations after Zerubbabel, the governor who led the first return from exile (1 Chronicles 3:19-21). By including Bariah’s name, Scripture testifies that the covenant promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) continued unbroken, demonstrating God’s faithfulness even when the monarchy appeared politically extinguished.

Historical Setting

The genealogy of 1 Chronicles 3 bridges the gap between the exile (586 BC) and the early Persian period. Bariah likely lived in the decades following the first return (538 BC), when families were re-establishing ancestral claims in Judah. His generation would have known a Jerusalem still under foreign rule, yet freshly hopeful through the temple’s reconstruction (Ezra 6:13-15).

Theological Significance

1. Covenant Preservation: Every individual in the list, including Bariah, is evidence of divine providence guarding the royal line until the birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-31).
2. Personal Value: The Chronicler records obscure names to show that no member of God’s people is overlooked. Bariah’s solitary mention affirms that faithful continuity, not fame, secures one’s place in redemptive history.
3. Hope in Exile: Naming post-exilic descendants signals that the promises of restoration were already unfolding. For hearers returning from captivity, Bariah’s inclusion underscored that God’s purposes were advancing through ordinary families.

Connections with Other Passages

• Ezra 8:2 lists a “Hattush” of Davidic descent who returned with Ezra; many scholars link him to Bariah’s eldest brother, suggesting Bariah’s family actively supported the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah.
• Zechariah 4:6-10, contemporaneous with Zerubbabel’s rebuilding efforts, celebrates the divine guarantee that “the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it.” Bariah’s generation enjoyed the fruits of that pledge.

Ministerial Applications

• Intercessory Focus: Pray for modern believers who feel insignificant; remind them that, like Bariah, their faithfulness is recorded before God (Malachi 3:16).
• Teaching Genealogies: Use Bariah to illustrate how Scripture’s seemingly minor details confirm major doctrines—particularly the Messiah’s royal lineage.
• Encouragement in Transition: Congregations navigating change can look to Bariah’s era, drawing courage from God’s sovereign guidance through uncertain political and social climates.

Devotional Reflection

Bariah’s silent testimony invites believers to embrace humble roles in God’s grand narrative. Though Scripture assigns him no exploits, his preserved name proclaims a truth echoed in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

וּבָרִ֧יחַ ובריח ū·ḇā·rî·aḥ ūḇārîaḥ uvaRiachInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts