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אַרְאֵלִי

𐤀𐤓𐤀𐤋𐤉

Areeli

H692 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אַרל to be heroic, lion-like (possible root meanings of אראל)

Definition

Areli—personal name designating a male ancestor of a clan within the tribe of Gad, and by extension the members of that clan (the Arelites); used exclusively in genealogical contexts to identify tribal subdivision; does not carry an independent descriptive meaning beyond the clan identity.

Semantic Range

name designating a clan within the tribe of Gad; descendant of Areli; a member of the Arelite clan; clan-based group identity

Root / Etymology

Formed from the root אראל (ʼarʼēl), potentially signifying 'lion of God', with the gentilic suffix -י (ī) indicating origin or descent; thus, the term refers to a descendant of Areli or a member of the Areli clan within Israel. The specific meaning of the root אראל in this context is debated, though it sometimes connotes strength or heroism elsewhere. The root for this personal name is ארל.

Historical & Contextual Notes

אַרְאֵלִי appears only in genealogical listings (Genesis 46:16; Numbers 26:17; 1 Chronicles 7:7). It functions solely as a clan or family name within the tribal listings of Gad, distinguishing Areli and his descendants as a sub-group (the Arelites). English translations often render the name as 'Areli' for the ancestor and 'Arelite(s)' for members of the clan. Later translation traditions sometimes reinterpret the element 'arel' as suggesting heroic or lion-like qualities, but such connotations are not overt in the biblical usage and are better understood as etymological speculation. The term is not re-used or developed in later biblical or Second Temple literature. The use of the gentilic suffix (-י) follows a common pattern for forming names of lineage/clan origin in ancient Israelite society.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אֶרְאֵל; heroic; Areli (or an Arelite, collectively), an Israelite and his descendants; Areli, Arelites.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ארל (ʾ-r-l) — heroic, lion-like strength

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H692-01 הָ/אַרְאֵלִֽי haareeli HTd/Ngmsa the Arelites the Arelite 1
H692-02 לְ/אַ֨רְאֵלִ֔י leareeli HR/Np to Areli to Areli 1
H692-03 וְ/אַרְאֵלִֽי veareeli HC/Np and Areli and Areli 1

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H692-03 Genesis 46:16 וְ/אַרְאֵלִֽי veareeli HC/Np and Areli and Areli
H692-02 Numbers 26:17 לְ/אַ֨רְאֵלִ֔י leareeli HR/Np to Areli to Areli
H692-01 Numbers 26:17 הָ/אַרְאֵלִֽי haareeli HTd/Ngmsa the Arelites the Arelite
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