Βαραχίας
Barachías
G914 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name of Hebrew origin, transliterated as Barachias; refers specifically to an Israelite/Judean male bearing the name, especially in genealogical or narrative contexts. The name means 'Yah(weh) has blessed' or 'Yahweh is blessing.' In Greek texts, functions solely as a proper noun identifying individuals, predominantly in genealogical references.
Semantic Range
proper name for an Israelite or Judean male; as a patronymic; 'Yahweh has blessed', 'blessing of Yahweh'
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew personal name בֶּרֶכְיָה (Berekhyah/Berechyahu), composed of בָּרַךְ (barak, 'to bless') and יָהּ (Yah, a theophoric element referring to YHWH). The Greek transliteration Βαραχίας reflects Greek conventions for rendering Hebrew names, especially those ending in -יָה.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Βαραχίας appears rarely in the New Testament, notably in Matthew 23:35 referring to 'Zechariah son of Barachias'. The Greek form faithfully reproduces the Hebrew name but does not convey its meaning to Greek speakers. In the Septuagint and other Hellenistic Jewish literature, the equivalent Hebrew name is found as Βαραχίας or similar transliterations. The meaning 'Yahweh has blessed' or 'blessing of Yahweh' is clear from the Hebrew etymology but not typically foregrounded in Greek usage. Standard English translations often render the name as 'Barachias' or sometimes 'Berechiah,' but this does not reflect an identity marker or role beyond functioning as a personal name. The association with historical or biblical figures (e.g., various Zechariahs) depends on text and tradition. The name was common among Israelites and Judeans but does not carry ethnic, religious, or geographic meaning beyond identifying the individual.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew origin (בֶּרֶכְיָה); Barachias (i.e. Berechijah), an Israelite:--Barachias.
Root Family
Βαραχίας (Barachias) — personal name, to bless, Yahweh
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G914-01 |
Βαραχίου | barachiou | N GEN M SG |
Berechiah | of Barachias | Barachias | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G914-01 |
Matthew 23:35 | Βαραχίου | barachiou | N GEN M SG |
Berechiah | of Barachias | Barachias |