עֵרִי

a Erite (collectively) or descendants of Eri

Definition

The Hebrew word עֵרִי (ʻÊrîy) refers specifically to the descendants of Eri, one of the sons of Gad, the son of Jacob. It is a collective noun, meaning it designates the entire clan or family group tracing their lineage back to this patriarch. The term appears only in the context of tribal genealogies and census lists, specifically in the book of Numbers. It functions as a gentilic, identifying a distinct sub-group within the larger tribe of Gad during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in a genealogical and census context within the Pentateuch. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Numbers 26:16, which records the second census of the Israelites taken on the plains of Moab. Here, the 'Erites' are listed as one of the seven major family clans descended from Gad. Its usage is purely descriptive, identifying a social and military unit within the tribal structure of ancient Israel.

Etymology

The word עֵרִי (ʻÊrîy) is a patronymic noun, derived directly from the personal name עֵרִי (ʻĒrî, H6179), who was a son of Gad (Genesis 46:16). Patronymics are common in Hebrew for forming tribal or clan names, typically by adding the suffix '-i' to a personal name, meaning 'belonging to' or 'descended from.' Thus, ʻÊrîy literally means 'of Eri' or 'descendants of Eri.'

Semantic Range

In its original setting, this term identified a specific kinship group vital for social organization, inheritance of land, and military conscription within the tribe of Gad. Understanding such names highlights the importance of genealogy and tribal identity in ancient Israelite society. These clan divisions were not merely familial but formed the basic administrative and military units of the nation during its formative period in the wilderness and conquest.

גָּדִי (Gādîy, H1425) — Refers to the broader tribe of Gad, of which the Erites were a sub-clan.

Word Details

Scripture References