עֶדֶר
Eder, an Israelite
Definition
Eder is a proper noun referring to an Israelite man mentioned in 1 Chronicles 8:15. The name means 'flock' or 'drove,' derived from the Hebrew root עֲדַר (ʿādar), which relates to arranging or gathering animals. In the biblical context, Eder is listed as a son of Elpaal, a Benjamite, within the extensive genealogical records of the tribe of Benjamin. This single occurrence serves primarily to establish lineage and identity within Israel's tribal history, with no additional narrative or descriptive details provided about the individual.
Biblical Usage
The word 'Eder' is used only once in the Old Testament, specifically in 1 Chronicles 8:15. It appears strictly as a personal name within a genealogical list detailing the descendants of Benjamin. This usage is typical of many proper nouns in Chronicles, which focus on preserving tribal lineages and identities for the post-exilic community.
Etymology
The name Eder (עֶדֶר) comes from the root עֲדַר (ʿādar, H5737), meaning 'to arrange' or 'to set in order,' often in the context of a flock or herd of animals. As a noun, עֵדֶר (ʿēder) commonly means 'flock' or 'drove.' Thus, the personal name Eder likely carries the sense of 'flock' or possibly signifies one who tends or gathers a flock, reflecting pastoral imagery common in Hebrew nomenclature.
Semantic Range
In ancient Israelite culture, names often held significant meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or characteristics. A name like Eder ('flock') would evoke pastoral life, which was central to the economy and identity of the people. Being recorded in a genealogy, especially in Chronicles, affirmed one's place within the covenant community and tribal inheritance, which was crucial for identity and land rights in the restored community after the Babylonian exile.
צֹאן (tsoʼn, H6629) — A general term for small livestock like sheep and goats, whereas Eder as a name derives from a word for an arranged group or drove of such animals. עֵדֶר (ʿēder, H5739) — The common noun meaning 'flock' or 'herd,' which is the source for the proper name Eder.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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