עֵרָנִי
𐤏𐤓𐤍𐤉
Erani
H6198 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A member or descendant of Eran, used specifically as a designation for a clan or family group tracing lineage to Eran, an Israelite mentioned in tribal genealogies. Functions as a gentilic adjective denoting familial or tribal affiliation.
Semantic Range
descendant of Eran, Eranite, member of the clan or group descended from Eran
Root / Etymology
From the root ערן, which appears as a personal name in Numbers 26:36. The form עֵרָנִי (ʻÊrânîy) is constructed with the gentilic suffix -ִי (-î), indicating descent or association with Eran.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term עֵרָנִי occurs only in genealogical lists to identify members of the clan descended from Eran, a lesser-known descendant within the tribe of Ephraim (Numbers 26:36). It serves to mark membership in a specific family group, similar to other gentilic adjectives formed from personal names (e.g., יִשְׂרָאֵלִי Yisraelite, 'Israelite'). The use of gentilic forms was common in the patriarchal and monarchic periods to strengthen group identity and clarify lines of descent within the tribes of Israel. As a patronym, it does not denote religious or later geographic identity (such as 'Judean'). English translations such as "Eranite" or "descendant of Eran" are accurate but may not fully convey the function as a clan marker within the tribal structure. The term does not appear outside genealogical contexts, and its usage does not imply ethnic or territorial meaning beyond direct descent from Eran. Later English translations sometimes use "clan of Eran" or similar, but "Eranite" remains the closest lexical rendering.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
patronymically from עֵרָן; an Eranite or descendant (collectively) of Eran; Eranites.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ערן (ʿ-r-n) — to be awake, vigilant; Eran (personal name)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6198-01 |
הָ/עֵרָנִֽי | haerani | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Eranite | the Eranite | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6198-01 |
Numbers 26:36 | הָ/עֵרָנִֽי | haerani | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Eranite | the Eranite |