חֲנֹכִי (cha.no.khi)
cha.no.khi
Hanochite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The term ḥănōkî refers to a member of the clan descended from Hanoch, a son of Reuben. As a gentilic adjective, it functions as a collective noun for this specific family group within the larger tribe of Reuben. The name Hanoch itself carries the sense of dedication or initiation, suggesting that the clan’s identity was rooted in the legacy of its founding ancestor.
This word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Numbers 26:5. Here it is used during the second census of Israel to list the families contributing to the population count before they entered the Promised Land. The text identifies them as the ḥănōkîm, distinguishing them from other Reubenite clans like the Palluites and Hezronites mentioned in the same verse.
Its rarity highlights how tribal records preserved specific lineage details for administrative purposes. While the broader narrative of Reuben’s descendants is sparse, this single occurrence anchors the Hanochite family within the historical structure of Israel’s wilderness generation, linking them directly to the patriarchal lists found earlier in Genesis.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hanoch suggests a beginning or a dedication. In Numbers 26:5, this word marks a specific family line within the tribe of Reuben during the second census. It reminds us that God keeps track of individual families, not just large groups.
Even though this clan is mentioned only once in Scripture, their inclusion shows that every lineage matters to the broader story of Israel. We are part of a larger narrative where each person and family has a place. This detail encourages us to value our own unique role in God's plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Hanochite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/חֲנֹכִ֔י1×
Key Verses
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Numbers 26:5
Reuben, the firstborn of Israel; the sons of Reuben: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites;
This verse uses the term to identify the Hanochite clan alongside other Reubenite families during the wilderness census.