שֵׁלָנִי (she.la.ni)
she.la.ni
Shelanite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The Hebrew term she.la.ni refers to a member of the Shelanite clan, a family group within the tribe of Judah. This gentilic adjective is derived from the name Shelah, one of the sons of Judah and Tamar’s sister-in-law Bath-shua. The word appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, serving as a specific identifier for this lineage during the census recorded in Numbers.
In Numbers 26:20, the text lists the Shelanites alongside other Judahite families to account for the population entering the Promised Land. This usage highlights how ancient Israel organized itself into distinct clans descended from patriarchal figures. The name Shelah itself carries the meaning of "quietness," though the biblical narrative focuses on the clan’s identity rather than the etymological weight of its founder’s name.
Because this word occurs so rarely, it functions primarily as a genealogical marker. It preserves the memory of Shelah’s descendants in the tribal structure of Israel. The entry connects readers back to the earlier account in Genesis 38, where Shelah is introduced as part of Judah’s family history. This single verse ensures that this specific branch of Judah is not forgotten in the broader census records.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Numbers 26:20 lists the Shelanites as one of the families descending from Judah. This single mention preserves the name of a specific clan within Israel’s tribal structure. It shows that God keeps track of every lineage, no matter how small or obscure.
For your faith, this word reminds us that our identity is rooted in history and community. Just as the Shelanites were counted among Judah’s descendants, we are part of a larger spiritual family. Our names and stories matter to God, even when they seem minor in the grand narrative.
This gentle assurance encourages us to value our place in the body of Christ. We are known, named, and included by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Shelahite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שֵּׁ֣לָנִ֔י1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 26:20
The sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites.
This verse identifies the Shelanites as a distinct family unit within the tribe of Judah during the census.