עֵרָנִי (e.ra.ni)
e.ra.ni
Eranite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The noun erani refers to a member of the clan descended from Eran, a son of Shuthelah and grandson of Joseph’s son Ephraim. This term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Numbers 26:36, where it identifies one of the family groups listed during the census in the wilderness.
Its meaning is strictly genealogical, designating a specific lineage within the tribe of Ephraim rather than carrying broader theological or moral weight. The name Eran itself is linked to a root meaning "watcher," but the adjective erani functions simply as an ethnic marker for this particular branch of Israel’s descendants.
Because it occurs in a census list, the word serves as a historical record of tribal organization before the settlement of Canaan. It highlights the detailed preservation of family lines in Scripture, ensuring that even minor clans like the Eranites are remembered in the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Eranite appears in a single verse of the Hebrew Bible, marking a specific family line within the tribe of Ephraim. This brief mention is part of a census record taken by Moses in the wilderness. It serves as a historical marker for the descendants of Shuthelah and his son Eran.
While this word does not carry a direct moral command or theological doctrine, its presence reminds us that God keeps careful account of His people. Every name and clan is recorded with precision. This detail shows that no lineage is too small to be remembered in Scripture.
For your faith, this offers quiet comfort. It suggests that your own story and heritage matter to the Lord. Just as these ancient families were preserved in the text, so too are individuals known and valued by God. You are part of a larger narrative that He maintains with care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Eranite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הָ/עֵרָנִֽי\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 26:36
These are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.
This verse identifies the Eranites as a distinct family group descending from Shuthelah, anchoring the term in a specific genealogical context.