כַּרְמִי (kar.mi)
kar.mi
Carmite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The term karmi functions as a gentilic adjective, identifying members of the Carmite clan within the tribe of Reuben. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, at Numbers 26:6, where it serves to distinguish this specific family line during the second census in the wilderness.
Its meaning derives from the personal name Carmi, which translates to "my vineyard." This etymology links the clan’s identity to agricultural imagery, reflecting a common pattern in Israelite naming where family groups are defined by their patriarch’s name. The Carmites were descendants of Carmi, the fourth son of Reuben.
Because this word occurs just once, it does not develop a broad theological range. Instead, it acts as a precise genealogical marker, helping readers track the distribution and identity of Reuben’s descendants as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word karmi identifies a specific family line within the tribe of Reuben, appearing only in Numbers 26:6. Its root name, Carmi, means "my vineyard," linking this clan’s identity to agricultural imagery common in Israelite naming practices. This single occurrence serves as a precise genealogical marker, helping readers track the distribution of Reuben’s descendants during the wilderness census.
While this term does not carry broad theological weight, it reminds us that God knows each family by name. In the grand narrative of Scripture, every lineage matters to the One who counts and calls His people. The Carmites are remembered not for grand deeds, but simply as part of the community God preserved through the desert.
For your faith, this highlights the value of belonging to a larger story. You are known individually by name, yet also woven into the collective history of God’s people. This assurance offers comfort: you are seen, counted, and included in His ongoing plan for redemption.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Carmite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/כַּרְמִֽי\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 26:6
of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
This verse lists the Carmites as a distinct family unit under Carmi, serving as a genealogical record during the second wilderness census.