Areli
Areli, a son of Gad, is mentioned in the genealogy of Jacob and the census of the Israelites in the wilderness.
Biography
Areli was a son of Gad, Jacob's seventh son born to Zilpah, Leah's maidservant. He is listed in Genesis 46:16 among the sixteen members of Gad's family who descended with Jacob into Egypt, and again in Numbers 26:17 as the progenitor of the Arelites, one of the clans counted in the second wilderness census. His name, possibly meaning "heroic" or "lion of God," fits the martial character often associated with the tribe of Gad, a tribe Moses later blessed for its lion-like fearlessness in battle (Deuteronomy 33:20–21). The Gadites would eventually settle in Transjordan on the eastern side of the Jordan River, a territory renowned for its suitability for livestock.
Significance
Areli's significance lies in his foundational role within the tribe of Gad. As an ancestor whose line persisted through the Egyptian sojourn and the wilderness wanderings to be counted in the census of Numbers 26, he represents the fulfillment of God's promise to multiply Israel into a great nation (Genesis 46:3). The tribe of Gad was known for its military valor; Gadite warriors are celebrated for crossing the Jordan ahead of their brothers to help conquer Canaan before receiving their own inheritance (Joshua 1:12–18; 22:1–4). Areli's descendants, the Arelites, carried forward that tribal heritage. His place in both the patriarchal and Mosaic census records demonstrates the unbroken continuity of God's covenant faithfulness from generation to generation.
Verse Appearances (2)
Genesis
Numbers
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]