Becorath
Who was Becorath in the Bible?
Becorath was a member of the Tribe of Benjamin and a direct ancestor of Saul, the first king of Israel.
Becorath is a figure mentioned in the genealogical records of the Tribe of Benjamin within the Old Testament. He lived during the era leading up to the United Monarchy, serving as a vital link in the lineage that produced Israel’s first monarch. The biblical record identifies him as the son of Aphiah and the father of Zeror.
While his individual life and actions are not detailed in the narrative, his presence in the text serves to establish the legitimacy and pedigree of the house of Kish. As a descendant of Benjamin, Becorath represents the continuity of the covenant family through the period of the Judges into the establishment of the kingship.
Background and Family
Becorath is identified in the Hebrew Bible as a Benjamite, belonging to one of the twelve tribes of Israel. According to the genealogical list provided in 1 Samuel 9:1, he was the son of Aphiah. The text does not provide details regarding his mother or any siblings. Becorath resided within the territory allotted to Benjamin, a region known for its fierce warriors and strategic importance between the northern and southern hill countries of Canaan.
His primary role in the biblical narrative is genealogical. He is recorded as the father of Zeror, who in turn was the father of Abiel, the father of Kish, and the grandfather of Saul. This lineage places Becorath approximately four generations prior to the coronation of King Saul, situating his life in the late 11th century BC.
Major Life Events
The Bible does not record specific events, speeches, or achievements attributed to Becorath. In the single verse where he appears (1 Samuel 9:1), he is listed to validate the ancestry of Saul. The author of 1 Samuel emphasizes that Saul’s family were "powerful men" or "men of standing." As an ancestor in this line, Becorath is included in this description of familial prestige and social status within the Benjamite community.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Becorath’s significance is entirely relational. He stands as the great-great-grandfather of King Saul. His father, Aphiah, is the earliest named ancestor in this specific vertical genealogy, making Becorath the second generation mentioned in this prominent line. His son, Zeror, continued the lineage that would eventually lead to the transition of Israel from a tribal confederacy under judges to a centralized monarchy.
Spiritual Significance
Though Becorath is a minor figure, his inclusion in the Holy Scripture highlights the biblical emphasis on heritage and the fulfillment of God’s purposes through specific lineages. By tracing Saul’s line through Becorath, the text establishes that the first king of Israel did not emerge from obscurity but from an established family of standing within the tribe of Benjamin. This genealogical detail serves to ground the history of the United Monarchy in the historical reality of tribal Israel.
Becorath’s significance lies in his role as a genealogical anchor for the first king of Israel. By recording his name, the biblical historian connects the era of King Saul to the ancestral traditions of the Tribe of Benjamin, ensuring the monarchy is seen as an extension of the tribal structure established during the time of the Patriarchs.
The inclusion of Becorath in the lineage of Saul demonstrates the biblical priority of documenting the 'generations' of key figures, a practice that highlights God's providence over time through ordinary individuals whose primary contribution was the preservation of their family line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Becorath's father?
According to 1 Samuel 9:1, Becorath was the son of Aphiah, a member of the Tribe of Benjamin.
Who was Becorath's son?
Becorath was the father of Zeror, who was the great-grandfather of King Saul.
How many times is Becorath mentioned in the Bible?
Becorath is mentioned exactly one time in the Bible, in 1 Samuel 9:1.
What tribe did Becorath belong to?
Becorath belonged to the Tribe of Benjamin.
What is Becorath's relation to King Saul?
Becorath was the great-great-grandfather of Saul, the first king of Israel.
Family & Relationships
Parents
AphiahFather1 Samuel 9:1Stated
BecorathThis pageChildren
ZerorSon1 Samuel 9:1Stated
Extended family
SaulGreat-Great-Grandson1 Samuel 9:1Inferred
Reconstructed through Zeror and Abiel: 1 Samuel 9:1 ties Becorath to Zeror; 1 Samuel 9:1 ties Zeror to Abiel; 1 Samuel 14:51 ties Abiel to Saul (itself an inferred link). No verse states the great-great-grandson link between Becorath and Saul directly.Evidence: 1 Samuel 9:1
Connected Figures
Family
Father · 1 Samuel 9:1
An ancestral figure in the tribe of Benjamin and a progenitor of King Saul, identified as the great-great-grandfather of Kish.
United MonarchyFirst: 1 Samuel 9:12 versesTribal elder or landownerBenjamin
Son · 1 Samuel 9:1
A Benjamite ancestor of King Saul, identified as the son of Becorath and the father of Abiel.
United MonarchyFirst: 1 Samuel 9:12 versesTribal elder or landownerBenjamin
Great-Great-Grandson · 1 Samuel 9:1
Saul was the first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel from the tribe of Benjamin to lead the United Monarchy against the Philistine threat.
United MonarchyFirst: 1 Samuel 9:2339 versesFirst King of IsraelBenjamin
Categories
Mentions by Book
- 1 Samuel2
Scripture References
All 2 indexed verses, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
1 Samuel · 2
- 1 Samuel 9:1
Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin.
- 1 Samuel 9:2Partial
And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people.
Cited as evidence on a family card; added so References, Key Verses and Mentions by Book share one index.