סִינִי (si.ni)
si.ni
Sinite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The noun sini refers to a specific people group listed among the descendants of Canaan in Genesis 10:17 and mentioned again in 1 Chronicles 1:15. As a gentilic term, it identifies the Sinites as one of the distinct tribes inhabiting the land that would later become Israel. The sources connect this name to Sin, an individual figure within the genealogical records, establishing their lineage within the broader table of nations.
Geographically, the lexicon data places the Sinites in the northern region, specifically associated with the Lebanon district. They appear alongside other well-known Canaanite groups such as the Sidonians and Hittites, marking them as part of the complex social fabric of the ancient Near East. While the exact etymology is debated—with some sources suggesting links to words meaning "thorn" or "clay"—the primary function of the word in Scripture is simply to identify this northern tribe within the historical record.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read Genesis 10, we encounter a long list of names that can feel distant or abstract. The mention of the Sinites reminds us that God’s plan for humanity was never limited to one family line. By including these descendants of Canaan in the biblical record, Scripture affirms the dignity and distinct identity of every people group on earth.
This genealogy shows that God knows each tribe and nation by name. It invites us to see our own communities through a similar lens of respect and recognition. We are part of a vast human story where every individual has value in the eyes of the Creator, regardless of their origin or status.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Sinite[s]2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/סִּינִֽי\׃2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:17
the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites,
This verse places the Sinites within the Table of Nations, showing their specific lineage among the descendants of Canaan.
-
I Chronicles 1:15
the Hivite, the Arkite, the Sinite,
The chronicler repeats this list to preserve historical accuracy and affirm the continuity of Israel's ancestral heritage.