יְרַחְמְאֵלִי
𐤉𐤓𐤇𐤌𐤀𐤋𐤉
Yerachemeeli
H3397 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A member or descendant of the clan or lineage of Jerahmeel, specifically denoting individuals belonging to the Yeraḥme'eli subgroup among the Israelites, particularly within the tribal structure of Judah. The term primarily functions as a gentilic (clan or tribal identifier), referencing ancestry, geographic association, or both concerning Jerahmeel, the progenitor mentioned in genealogical lists. In some contexts, the Yeraḥme'eli designates a group within the broader Israelite confederation, often distinguished from other Judahite subgroups.
Semantic Range
member of the Jerahmeelite clan, descendant of Jerahmeel, gentilic or tribal designation, individual from the lineage of Jerahmeel
Root / Etymology
Formed as a gentilic from the personal name יְרַחְמְאֵל (Yeraḥme'el), which itself derives from the root ר-ח-מ (to show compassion, have mercy), with the theophoric element אֵל ('El, God). The suffix -ִי (-i) attaches to indicate 'belonging to' or 'descendant of'—thus, יְרַחְמְאֵלִי denotes 'of/descended from Jerahmeel.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term יְרַחְמְאֵלִי appears primarily in genealogical contexts, notably in 1 Samuel 27:10 and 1 Samuel 30:29, identifying a group or lineage among the southern Judahite clans. Jerahmeel is named as a descendant of Hezron and thus is considered an early ancestor within the Judahite structure (see 1 Chronicles 2:9, 2:25-26). The use of the gentilic marker -ִי distinguishes members of a clan from unrelated individuals. In later periods, the Jerahmeelites are not widely attested, suggesting their tribal identity was most relevant in the earlier monarchic or pre-exilic periods. English translations often use 'Jerahmeelite,' which reflects the clan/lineage sense but may obscure the precise genealogical significance in the Israelite system. Unlike later terms such as 'Judean' or 'Jew,' יְרַחְמְאֵלִי designates a specific lineage rather than a broader ethnic, geographic, or religious identity.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
patronymically from יְרַחְמְאֵל; a Jerachmeelite or descendant of Jerachmeel; Jerahmeelites.
Bantu Hebrew
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רחמ (r-ḥ-m) — compassion, mercy, tender love
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3397-02 |
הַ/יְּרַחְמְאֵלִ֔י | hayerachemeeli | HTd/Ngmsa |
the-Jerahmeelites | the Jerahmeelite | 1 |
H3397-01 |
הַ/יַּרְחְמְאֵלִ֔י | hayarechemeeli | HTd/Ngmsa |
of the Jerahmeelites | the Jerahmeelite | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3397-01 |
1 Samuel 27:10 | הַ/יַּרְחְמְאֵלִ֔י | hayarechemeeli | HTd/Ngmsa |
of the Jerahmeelites | the Jerahmeelite |
H3397-02 |
1 Samuel 30:29 | הַ/יְּרַחְמְאֵלִ֔י | hayerachemeeli | HTd/Ngmsa |
the-Jerahmeelites | the Jerahmeelite |