אׇזְנִי (oz.ni)
oz.ni
Ozni; Oznite
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Ozni identifies a specific individual in the genealogies of Gad, one of Jacob’s sons. He appears first in Genesis 46:16 as a son of Gad and is listed again in Numbers 26:16 among the heads of families counted in the wilderness. The Hebrew term also functions as an adjective, "Oznite," referring to his descendants or clan members.
Linguistically, the name derives from the root for "ear" (ozen), carrying the meaning "my ear" or "my hearing." Some sources suggest a textual connection to another figure named Ezbon, noting that Ozni may be an alternative reading or variant. This etymology adds a layer of personal significance to a name that marks a lineage rather than describing an action.
Although this word occurs only once in the narrative sense (with the gentilic form appearing alongside it), it serves as a crucial link in tracing the growth of the tribe of Gad from Jacob’s household to the organized census of Israel. The brevity of its scriptural footprint highlights how many individuals, whose names simply mean "hearing," formed the foundational structure of the nation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ozni appears in the genealogies of Gad, linking a specific individual to the broader story of Israel’s growth. Derived from the root for 'ear,' it carries the sense of hearing or listening. In ancient contexts, names often reflected hopes or characteristics, suggesting that this ancestor was remembered for his attentiveness.
While Ozni is not a central figure in narrative history, his inclusion in Numbers 26:16 highlights the importance of every member within God’s people. The census lists him as the head of the Oznite clan, showing how individual families contributed to the strength and identity of the tribe. These records remind us that our ancestors’ faithfulness, even in quiet ways, helps shape the community we are part of today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Oznite[s]1×
- of/ Ozni1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/אָזְנִ֕י1×
- הָ/אָזְנִ֑י1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 26:16
of Ozni, the family of the Oznites; of Eri, the family of the Erites;
This verse lists Ozni as the patriarch of the Oznite clan, confirming his role in the tribal structure during the wilderness census.