Original Word: בְּאֵרֹתִי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: B'erothiy
Pronunciation: beh-ay-ro-thee
Phonetic Spelling: (be-ay-ro-thee')
KJV: Beerothite
NASB: Beerothite, Beerothites
Word Origin: [patrial from H881 (בְּאֵרוֹת - Beeroth)]

1. a Beerothite or inhabitant of Beeroth

Beerothite

Patrial from b'erowth; a Beerothite or inhabitant of Beeroth -- Beerothite.

see HEBREW b'erowth

Word Origin
from Beeroth
Definition
inhab. of Beeroth
NASB Translation
Beerothite (4), Beerothites (1).

בְּאֵרֹתִי adjective, of a people always with article 2 Samuel 4:2,5,9; 2 Samuel 23:37 = הַבֵּרֹתִי 1 Chronicles 11:39; plural הַבְּאֵרֹתִים 2 Samuel 4:3.

Identification and Setting

The term “Beerothite” denotes a person originating from Beeroth, one of the four Hivite towns that secured protection by their covenant with Joshua (Joshua 9:17). Beeroth lay within the tribal allotment of Benjamin (Joshua 18:25) and is often located about ten miles north-northwest of Jerusalem, near modern el-Bireh. Its name (“wells”) hints at a settlement that grew up around a prized water source on a main north–south route.

Old Testament Occurrences

Beerothite appears five times, all in 2 Samuel (4:2, 4:3, 4:5, 4:9, 23:37). Four references revolve around Rechab and Baanah, the murderous sons of Rimmon; the fifth names Naharai, armour-bearer to Joab, among David’s mighty men.

Historical Background

1. The Gibeonite Covenant: Beeroth, with Gibeon, Chephirah, and Kiriath Jearim, secured a treaty with Israel through subterfuge (Joshua 9). Though obtained dishonestly, the oath was honored, binding Israel to spare them. Centuries later Saul violated that treaty (2 Samuel 21:1-2), an action that sowed unrest in Benjamin and likely contributed to Beeroth’s later instability.
2. Exile to Gittaim: 2 Samuel 4:3 notes that the Beerothites “fled to Gittaim and have lived there as foreigners to this day.” Political turbulence under Saul and the Philistine wars probably uprooted many Benjamites; Beeroth’s inhabitants found refuge in a neighboring town, yet they kept their distinct identity.

Key Personalities

• Rechab and Baanah – “leaders of raiding bands…sons of Rimmon the Beerothite” (2 Samuel 4:2). In the power vacuum following Saul’s death, they assassinated Ishbosheth, hoping to win David’s favor. Their deed violated both covenant loyalty and royal authority; David judged them swiftly, saying, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress…” (2 Samuel 4:9-12).
• Naharai the Beerothite – Listed among David’s elite warriors (2 Samuel 23:37). Serving as Joab’s armour-bearer, he illustrates that men from the same small town could take very different moral paths.

Theological and Ministry Insights

Covenant Faithfulness: Beeroth’s account is framed by oaths—first the Gibeonite treaty, later David’s oath-bound justice. Scripture shows the Lord guarding covenants even when people treat them lightly, warning believers against opportunistic disloyalty.

Justice and Mercy in Leadership: David’s execution of Rechab and Baanah demonstrates that godly leadership cannot be built on bloodshed and treachery. Ministry today likewise must refuse pragmatic shortcuts that compromise righteousness.

Legacy Beyond Origins: Though Beeroth produced murderers, it also produced a loyal warrior. Heritage influences but does not predetermine destiny; God weighs individual choices. Churches can encourage believers from every background to pursue faithfulness like Naharai rather than opportunism like Rechab and Baanah.

Lessons for the Church

1. Protect the integrity of vows, whether marriage, ordination, or personal commitments.
2. Remember that God’s kingdom advances through righteousness, not expedient violence or slander.
3. Welcome displaced or marginalized believers (“Beerothites in Gittaim”) and integrate them into ministry, acknowledging their unique accounts while calling them to covenant loyalty.

הַבְּאֵ֣רֹתִ֔י הַבְּאֵֽרֹתִ֖י הַבְּאֵֽרֹתִי֙ הַבְּאֵרֹתִ֖ים הַבְּאֶֽרֹתִ֖י הבארתי הבארתים hab·bə·’e·rō·ṯî hab·bə·’ê·rō·ṯî hab·bə·’ê·rō·ṯîm habbə’erōṯî habbə’êrōṯî habbə’êrōṯîm habbeeroTi habbeeroTimInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts