גּוּנִי (gu.ni)
gu.ni
Gunite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The Hebrew word gûnî is a gentilic adjective meaning "of Guni" or "belonging to the family of Guni." It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Numbers 26:49, where it identifies one of the clans within the tribe of Naphtali. The term functions as a descriptor for descendants of Guni, who was himself the son of Naphtali.
Etymologically, the name Guni is often interpreted as "my defender," though this connection remains tentative among scholars. As a rare tribal designation, gûnî serves primarily to distinguish this specific lineage within the larger census records of the wilderness generation. Its singular occurrence highlights the detailed genealogical precision maintained in the book of Numbers.
Because the word appears only in this administrative context, it carries no independent theological weight or narrative action. Instead, it preserves the memory of a specific family line during the Israelites' journey. Translators typically render it as "of Guni" or "Gunites," keeping the focus on tribal identity rather than character or deed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name gûnî appears just once in Scripture, marking a specific family line within the tribe of Naphtali. In Numbers 26:48, it identifies the descendants of Guni during the second census in the wilderness. This simple label reminds us that God knows each individual by name and lineage.
While the word itself carries no dramatic narrative, its presence shows that every family matters to God. The detailed records preserve the memory of ordinary people who trusted Him during their journey. Your own story, with all its unique details, is equally known and valued by the Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Gunite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/גּוּנִֽי\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 26:48
The sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites; of Guni, the family of the Gunites;
This verse uses gûnî to formally identify the family of the Gunites as a distinct branch within Naphtali's census.