פּוּנִי
𐤐𐤅𐤍𐤉
Puni
H6324 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Pûni, a descendant or clan member traced to an otherwise unknown ancestor named Pûni, specifically appearing as a familial designation among the tribes of Israel. The term designates a member of the Punite lineage; in the biblical context, typically refers to a descendant or family group associated with the tribe of Issachar.
Semantic Range
member of the Punite clan or family; descendant of Pûni; tribal subgroup within Issachar
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root פון (p-w-n), though this root is not attested elsewhere in Biblical Hebrew and its precise meaning is uncertain; the form פּוּנִי (Pûni) is a personal or clan name formed with the adjectival suffix -ִי (-i, meaning 'of' or 'from'), indicating membership in the lineage of Pûni. The implied ancestor 'Pûni' is otherwise unattested and his name's base meaning is unknown. Etymology uncertain beyond the designation as a proper name.
Historical & Contextual Notes
פּוּנִי (Pûni) appears only in Numbers 26:23 as a sub-clan within the tribe of Issachar, denoting the Punite family group. This usage reflects the genealogical organization characteristic of the tribal structure of later Iron Age Israel. The term is used exclusively in a patronymic or toponymic sense and not as a general noun or adjective. No later Jewish, Judean, or Israelite identity is attached to this name beyond its tribal association. The translation 'Punite' follows standard English conventions for rendering Israelite clan or family names but does not reflect a wider ethnic or political status. The ancestor Pûni is unattested outside this context, and etymological speculation regarding a meaning of 'turn' or related concepts is founded on later Hebrew or Aramaic usage and remains unsubstantiated for this period. The term is distinct from similar patronymics formed with the -י suffix and should not be conflated with names from neighboring groups or late Second Temple usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
patronymically from an unused name meaning a turn; a Punite (collectively) or descendants of an unknown Pun; Punites.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פון (p-w-n) — uncertain; possibly to turn or revolve (unattested in Biblical Hebrew)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6324-01 |
הַ/פּוּנִֽי | hapuni | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Punite | the Punite clansman | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6324-01 |
Numbers 26:23 | הַ/פּוּנִֽי | hapuni | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Punite | the Punite clansman |