הַגְרִי (hag.ri)
hag.ri
Hagri
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Hagri, meaning “wanderer,” appears in the Hebrew Bible as both a tribal identifier and an individual’s proper name. It refers to the Hagarites, a people group dwelling east of Palestine who clashed with the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe of Manasseh during the reign of King Saul (1 Chronicles 5:10). The term likely denotes their nomadic lifestyle or geographic displacement.
As a personal name, Hagri is recorded as the father of Mibhar, one of David’s mighty warriors (1 Chronicles 11:46; 27:30). This usage highlights how tribal identities could become family names within Israelite military structures. The dual application—both ethnic and individual—reflects the fluid boundaries between groups in ancient Near Eastern societies.
Lexical sources note its possible Aramean or Arabian origins, underscoring the cultural intersections of the period. Translators often render it as “Hagarites” for the people and retain “Hagri” for the person, preserving the distinction between collective identity and individual lineage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hagri points to a people defined by movement and displacement, yet it also marks individuals who found stability within God’s covenant community. In the ancient Near East, being a 'wanderer' often meant vulnerability, but the biblical record shows that these boundaries were not fixed barriers. The Hagarites, though distinct from Israel, are described as crying out to God in battle and receiving His answer because they trusted in Him. This reveals that divine attention extends beyond ethnic lines to anyone who seeks help with genuine faith.
At the same time, the name appears among David’s mighty warriors, showing how outsiders could become integral parts of Israel’s leadership. Mibhar, son of Hagri, served loyally alongside other heroes, illustrating that God’s purposes often weave together diverse backgrounds. For us today, this word reminds us that identity is not limited by our origins or past struggles. Whether facing displacement or seeking belonging, we can trust that God values faithful hearts above all else.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Hagrites3×
- the/ Hagrite1×
- Hagri1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַגְרִֽי\׃\ \ס1×
- הַֽ/הַגְרִיאִ֔ים1×
- הַֽ/הַגְרִיאִ֑ים1×
- הַֽ/הַגְרִאִ֔ים1×
- הַֽ/הַגְרִ֑י1×
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Hagri mean?
Who were the Hagrites?
Why is Hagri mentioned in 1 Chronicles 5?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 1 books)
I Chronicles 5 verses
In the days of Saul, they made war with the Hagrites, who fell by their hand; and they lived in their tents throughout…
I Chronicles 5:19They made war with the Hagrites, with Jetur, and Naphish, and Nodab.
I Chronicles 5:20They were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them; for they…
I Chronicles 11:38Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Hagri,
I Chronicles 27:31All these were the rulers of the property which was King David’s.