כַּרְמִי

a Karmite or descendant of Karmi

Definition

Karmîy is a proper noun referring to a descendant of Karmi, specifically a member of the Karmite clan within the tribe of Judah. It functions as a patronymic, identifying individuals by their ancestral lineage. The term appears only in the context of genealogical records, specifically in the census of the Israelites taken in the plains of Moab (Numbers 26:6). There are no other major senses or differing meanings for this word in the biblical text.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in genealogical and census contexts within the Old Testament. Its single occurrence is in Numbers 26:6, which lists the clans of the tribe of Judah following the second wilderness census. The pattern of usage is strictly as a clan designation, identifying the 'family of the Karmites' (מִשְׁפַּחַת הַכַּרְמִי) as a subdivision of the tribe of Judah.

Etymology

Karmîy is derived patronymically from the proper noun Karmi (כַּרְמִי, H3756), meaning 'my vineyard.' The '-îy' suffix typically indicates 'belonging to' or 'descendant of.' Thus, Karmîy literally means 'belonging to Karmi' or 'descendant of Karmi.' The root Karmi itself is likely related to the common noun 'kerem' (כֶּרֶם, H3754), meaning 'vineyard.'

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, clan and tribal identity were paramount for social structure, inheritance rights, and land allocation. The designation 'Karmite' functioned as more than just a surname; it connected an individual to a specific family group within the tribe of Judah, with implications for their place in the community and their claim to the tribal inheritance in the Promised Land. This differs from modern understandings of family names, which often lack this direct legal and territorial significance.

Karmi (Karmîy, H3756) — The direct ancestor from whom the clan derives its name. Yehudah (Yehûdâh, H3063) — The tribe to which the Karmite clan belongs.

Word Details

Scripture References