עֵרִי (e.ri)
e.ri
Eri
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name עֵרִי (Eri) appears in the Old Testament as a personal name for a son of Gad, one of Jacob’s twelve sons. It is recorded in Genesis 46:16 and Numbers 26:18 among the families traveling to Egypt and later listed in the wilderness census. The name translates to "watchful" or "vigilant," reflecting a characteristic often valued in tribal leadership and survival.
Eri serves as the progenitor of the family of Erites, which is mentioned alongside his brothers’ clans in the genealogical records. While the text does not elaborate on his personal deeds, his name anchors a specific lineage within the tribe of Gad, illustrating how individual identities were preserved through generations during the Israelites' journey.
This brief mention highlights the importance of record-keeping in biblical history, where even lesser-known figures are named to maintain tribal integrity. The meaning "watchful" may suggest a role of alertness or protection within the family structure, though the text itself focuses primarily on his place in the ancestral line rather than his actions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Eri appears in the genealogies of Gad, one of Jacob’s sons. Its meaning, "watchful" or "vigilant," suggests a quality of alertness that was vital for survival in the ancient world. While the biblical text does not record specific deeds for Eri, his inclusion in these lists highlights how every individual mattered to God. Even those with brief mentions were part of a larger story of preservation and identity.
For believers today, this reminds us that our lives are recorded and valued by God. Just as Eri’s lineage was carefully maintained during the journey to Egypt and through the wilderness, so too is each person’s place in God’s family secure. We do not need grand achievements to be significant; our existence itself is a testament to God’s faithful care for every member of His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of/ Eri1×
- Eri1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֵרִ֥י1×
- לְ/עֵרִ֕י1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 46:16
The sons of Gad: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.
This verse lists Eri among the sons of Gad, establishing his place in the family that moved to Egypt and preserving his name for future generations.
-
Numbers 26:16
of Ozni, the family of the Oznites; of Eri, the family of the Erites;
Here, Eri is the ancestor of the family of the Erites, showing how his lineage continued and was counted during the wilderness census.