Original Word: בֵּרֹתִי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Berothiy
Pronunciation: beh-ro-thee
Phonetic Spelling: (bay-ro-thee')
KJV: Berothite
Word Origin: [patrial from H1268 (בֵּרוֹתָה בֵּרוֹתַי - Berothah)]

1. a Berothite, or inhabitant of Berothai

Berothite

Patrial from Berowthah; a Berothite, or inhabitant of Berothai -- Berothite.

see HEBREW Berowthah

בֵּרֹתִי adjective, of a people 1 Chronicles 11:39 see הַבְּאֵרֹתִי above

Biblical Setting

“Berothite” (Hebrew בֵּרֹתִי) identifies someone hailing from Beeroth, a town allied with the Gibeonite confederation (Joshua 9:17). The single explicit use of the term under this Strong’s number appears in the roster of David’s mighty men: “Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah” (1 Chronicles 11:39). A parallel list in 2 Samuel 23:37 repeats the description, underlining the importance of origin designations in chronicling Israel’s military elites.

Geographical Context: Beeroth

Beeroth lay in the central hill country, approximately eight miles northwest of Jerusalem, within the territorial allotment later assigned to Benjamin (Joshua 18:25). Along with Gibeon, Chephirah, and Kiriath-jearim, Beeroth entered covenant with Israel during the conquest (Joshua 9). Though the city’s inhabitants became “woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation” (Joshua 9:27), Scripture records them dwelling among Israel for centuries. Beeroth’s status as a Benjaminite town explains why a Berothite could naturally serve in the army of David, himself ruling from Jerusalem and Hebron.

Historical Background: The Gibeonite Covenant

Beeroth’s people benefited from the oath Joshua swore before the LORD (Joshua 9:15–19). That covenant guaranteed protection despite their ruse. Generations later, when Saul broke the treaty and sought to annihilate Gibeon, the ensuing famine under David (2 Samuel 21:1–9) demonstrated divine fidelity to the original compact. Thus, a Berothite in David’s ranks signals the ongoing integration of covenant-bound foreigners and their descendants into Israel’s national life.

Role in Davidic Narrative

1 Chronicles 11 parallels 2 Samuel 23 in celebrating the exploits of warriors whose loyalty undergirded David’s kingdom. Naharai the Berothite, though mentioned briefly, is honored among those who risked life and limb in service to the anointed king. His specific office—armor-bearer to Joab—signifies close personal trust. An armor-bearer not only transported weapons but also shared strategic counsel and protected his commander in close combat. Naharai’s presence testifies to the multi-tribal and multi-ethnic composition of David’s army, a foreshadowing of the Messiah’s kingdom that gathers the faithful from every nation.

Covenantal and Theological Observations

1. Covenant Faithfulness: The survival and prominence of a Berothite centuries after Joshua highlight God’s unwavering commitment to His word. Human unfaithfulness (Saul’s massacre, 2 Samuel 21) could not nullify divine promise.
2. Inclusion by Grace: Naharai serves on equal footing with Judeans, Benjaminites, and even an Ammonite (Zelek) in the same verse. Those once outside the Abrahamic line find secure standing when they embrace the LORD’s king—anticipating the Gospel’s Jew-Gentile unity (Ephesians 2:11-22).
3. Leadership under Authority: As Joab’s armor-bearer, Naharai illustrates the biblical model of delegated responsibility. Leaders depend on faithful subordinates who in turn exercise courage and integrity.

Ministry Lessons and Applications

• Faithful Service in Obscurity: Though Naharai receives only a handful of words, Scripture immortalizes his dedication. Believers today can labor confidently, knowing God notices every act of loyalty (1 Corinthians 15:58).
• Unity in Diversity: The table of mighty men encourages congregations to value every background represented in Christ’s body, recognizing that shared allegiance to the King transcends ethnic or social distinctions (Galatians 3:28).
• Covenant Accountability: The famine narrative linked to Beeroth warns leaders never to treat lightly the covenants and promises of God. Ministry decisions must align with His revealed word, lest unintended consequences afflict the community.

Key Cross References

Joshua 9:17; 9:26-27 – Beeroth enters covenant with Israel.

Joshua 18:25 – Beeroth listed among Benjamin’s towns.

2 Samuel 4:2-3 – Flight of Beeroth’s residents to Gittaim during unrest in Saul’s house.

2 Samuel 21:1-9 – Famine arising from Saul’s violation of the Gibeonite covenant.

2 Samuel 23:37 – Parallel mention of Naharai the Berothite.

1 Chronicles 11:39 – Sole occurrence of Strong’s Hebrew 1307.

Conclusion

Though appearing only once, the designation “Berothite” encapsulates a rich tapestry of covenant history, divine faithfulness, and military valor. It underscores that God weaves even the briefest human accounts into His overarching redemptive plan, honoring those who trust Him and serve His anointed king with unwavering devotion.

הַבֵּ֣רֹתִ֔י הברתי hab·bê·rō·ṯî habBeroTi habbêrōṯîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts