אֵלֹנִי (e.lo.ni)
e.lo.ni
Elonite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The Hebrew term elōnî is a gentilic adjective meaning "Elonite," identifying a member of the clan descended from Elon, a son of Zebulun. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Numbers 26:26, where it functions as a collective noun for this specific family group within the tribe.
The name Elon is linked to the root ’ēlôn, which can mean "oak" or "terebinth tree," suggesting that the clan’s identity may have been associated with a landmark or perhaps a quality of strength. This single verse serves as a census record, listing the descendants of Zebulun by family unit during the wilderness wanderings.
Because it occurs just once, the word does not carry broad theological weight but provides precise genealogical detail. It helps readers track the structure of Israel’s tribes and understand how individual families were accounted for in the census records that shaped their communal identity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Numbers 26:26 lists the sons of Zebulun by their families, including the Elonites. This brief mention preserves the name of a specific clan descended from Elon, a son of Zebulun. In the ancient world, family identity was central to one’s place in the community and inheritance.
While this word appears only once, it reminds us that God keeps detailed records of His people. Every name and every family line matters to Him. This census helped Israel understand their structure and identity during their journey through the wilderness.
Your own life is known to God with similar care. He sees your place in His story and values your unique contribution to His community. You are never overlooked or forgotten in His plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Elonite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָ/אֵלֹנִ֑י1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 26:26
The sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Seredites; of Elon, the family of the Elonites; of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites.
This verse identifies the Elonites as a distinct family group within the tribe of Zebulun, showing how individual clans were counted and recognized in Israel’s census.