Numbers 26:17 — Word Study
WLCלַאֲר֕וֹד מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָאֲרוֹדִ֑י לְאַ֨רְאֵלִ֔י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָאַרְאֵלִֽי׃
BSAthe AroditeʼĂrôwdîy [descendants of Arod, from Arod] clanmishpâchâh [family, tribe] from ArodʼĂrôwd△ [I shall be spread out] [and] the AreliteʼArʼêlîy [family of the lion of God] clanmishpâchâh [family, tribe] from AreliʼArʼêlîy [lion of God]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לַאֲר֕וֹד | of Arod | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת | [the] clan of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| הָאֲרוֹדִ֑י | the Arodite[s] | Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute |
| לְאַ֨רְאֵלִ֔י | of Areli | Preposition, noun proper masculine |
| מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת | [the] clan of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| הָאַרְאֵלִֽי׃ | the Arelite[s] | Particle, noun gentilic masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | the Arodite clan from Arod, and the Arelite clan from Areli. |
| KJV | Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites. |
| ASV | of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites. |
| YLT | of Arod the family of the Arodite; of Areli the family of the Arelite. |
| WEB | of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites. |
| BBE | Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites. |
Where they part company is in the handling of clan terms — see How Translations Differ.
The structure consists of two main clauses connected by 'and', each detailing a clan and its origin.
3 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Numbers 26:17
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Clans of Gadgenerated
Numbers 26:17 identifies the Arodite clan from Arod and the Arelite clan from Areli, both belonging to the tribe of Gad. This passage is part of a larger census, which enumerates the descendants of the tribes of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The mention of these clans highlights the importance of family lineage in Israelite society and their connection to their ancestral roots.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 46:16 | The sons of Gad: Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֲרוֹד, la.'a.Rodgenerated
The name אֲרוֹד (Arod) refers to a man from the tribe of Gad, first mentioned in Genesis 46:16. The name suggests meanings related to subduing or roaming, indicating a connection to strength and mobility.
As a proper noun, it is used here to denote the clan descended from Arod, emphasizing their identity as part of the larger tribe of Gad. The parsing shows it as a masculine noun, indicating a male ancestor from whom the clan derives.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the rendering of אֲרוֹד as Arod and אֲרוֹדִי as Arodite.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse has a clear structure, with two main clauses connected by 'and'. The first clause introduces the Arodite clan, while the second introduces the Arelite clan. Each clause follows a similar pattern: a prepositional phrase indicating the clan's name followed by a noun phrase denoting the clan itself.
The finite verb structure is implicit, as the sentence lists the clans rather than describing actions. This straightforward listing reflects the genealogical nature of the text.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates אֲרוֹד as αροαδι, indicating a direct correspondence to the Hebrew term. This choice maintains the identity of the clan without introducing additional interpretation.
Similarly, אֲרוֹדִי is rendered as αροαδι, preserving the patronymic form and linking the descendants directly to Arod.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Numbers 26:17 lists the Arodite clan from Arod and the Arelite clan from Areli, both belonging to the tribe of Gad. This verse highlights the importance of family and lineage among the Israelites.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Arod means 'I shall subdue' or 'I shall roam', suggesting strength and mobility.
The Arodite clan descended from Arod, while the Arelite clan descended from Areli, both part of the tribe of Gad.
Lineage emphasizes identity and heritage among the Israelites, which is crucial for their tribal organization and inheritance.
The term 'clan' refers to a family or tribe, highlighting the close-knit relationships within the Israelite community.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- How does understanding the lineage of the tribes enhance our comprehension of the Israelite community?
- What significance does family hold in our own lives today, similar to the clans mentioned in this verse?
- In what ways can we honor our own heritage and lineage?
- How can the stories of our ancestors inspire us in our current lives?
Commentators on this verse — 3 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Numbers 26:17 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryOf Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites. Arod - or Arodi (Genesis 46:16) [Septuagint, Aroadi]. Areli - [Septuagint, Arieel.]
Read Robert Jamieson on Numbers 26 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges5–51. The twelve secular tribes are numbered, the sacred tribe of Levi being omitted. The names are based upon Genesis 46:8-27, but with the addition of Ephraim and Manasseh, who, having been born in Egypt, could not be reckoned in Gen. among those who went down into Egypt. The total number at the first census, thirty-eight years before (ch. 1) was 603,550; now it Isaiah 601,730. The order of the tribes is the same, except that Manasseh (Numbers 26:29-34) precedes Ephraim (Numbers 26:35-37). Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim and Naphtali have decreased in numbers, while the other seven have increased. The impossibility of the figures is shewn in note on Numbers 1:46.
Read Cambridge on Numbers 26 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible17. Arod — Arodi, in Genesis 46:16; Genesis 46:19-22. The sons of Judah and their families agree with Genesis 46:12; Genesis 38:6-30, and 1 Chronicles 2:3-5.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Numbers 26 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
the Arodite clan from Arod, and the Arelite clan from Areli.
of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
the Arodite clan from Arod, and the Arelite clan from Areli.
from Arod, the family of the Arodites, and from Areli, the family of the Arelites.
Tyndale line
Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
Of Arod, the familie of the Arodites: of Areli, the familie of the Arelites.
Strictly literal
of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
of Arod the family of the Arodite; of Areli the family of the Arelite.
of Arod the family of the Arodite; of Areli the family of the Arelite.
Of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites;
through Arod, the clan of the Arodites, through Areli, the clan of the Arelites.
From the Latin
Arod, of him is the family of the Arodites: Ariel, of him is the family of the Arielites.
Simplified
Arod, ancestor of the Arodite family; Areli, ancestor of the Arelite family.
Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which matches all six words in the verse. The Samaritan Pentateuch shows three differences in the names used, with ארודי (Arodi) and ארולי (Areli) differing from the Masoretic Text. The Dead Sea Scrolls present partial restorations but align closely with the Masoretic Text.
לַאֲר֕וֹד מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָאֲרוֹדִ֑י לְאַ֨רְאֵלִ֔י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָאַרְאֵלִֽי׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
לארודי משׁפחת הארודי לארולי משׁפחת הארולי
3 words differ from the Masoretic Text: ארודי (Arodi), ארולי (Areli), ארולי (Arelite)
[לארוד] [משפחת] [הארודי] לאריאל משפחת האריאלי
1 word on the leather — 2 partly restored, 3 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Numbers 26:17
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אֲרוֹד (Arowd) refers to a man from the tribe of Gad, first mentioned in Genesis 46:16. He is noted as a son of Gad and brother to several others. The name suggests meanings related to subduing or roaming. It is also recognized as an orthographical variation of another term.
אֲרוֹד n.pr.m. son of Gad
base
H720 אֲרוֹד
720 'Arowd ar-ode'
an orthographical variation of 719; fugitive; Arod, an
Israelite:--Arod.
see HEBREW for 0719
אֲרוֹד (a.rod) — Arod.
A man of the tribe of Gad living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.16;
son of: Gad (H1410);
brother of: Ziphion (H6837), Haggi (H2291), Shuni (H7764), Ezbon (H0675), Eri (H6179) and Areli (H0692); also called Arod at Num.26.17;
Also named: a.ro.di (אֲרוֹדִי "Arodi" H0722)
§ Arod = "I shall subdue: I shall roam"
a son of Gad
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
(a wild ass), a son of Gad, (Numbers 26:17) called ARODI in (Genesis 46:16)
→ Son of Gad Nu 26:17
מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah) refers to a clan or family, encompassing a circle of relatives and extending to tribes or peoples. It can also denote a class of persons, species of animals, or kinds of things. The entries highlight its various uses, including guilds and aristocrats, but do not present any significant disagreement.
מִשְׁפָּחָה 303 n.f. clan
clan
= guild
= species, kind
pl. = aristocrats
base
H4940 מִשְׁפָּחָה clan . clan
. = guild
. = species, kind
. pl. = aristocrats
4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw'
from 8192 (compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives;
figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or
sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family,
kind(-red).
see HEBREW for 08192
see HEBREW for 08198
מִשְׁפָּחָה (mish.pa.chah) — family.
1) clan, family
1a) clan
1a1) family
1a2) tribe
1a3) people, nation
1b) guild
1c) species, kind
1d) aristocrats
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אֲרוֹדִי (Arowdiy) is a Hebrew term meaning 'Arodi' or 'descendant of Arod.' It is a patronymic derived from אֲרוֹד (Arod), referring to a member of the tribe of Gad. The word is associated with individuals mentioned in Genesis 46:16 and Numbers 26:17, indicating a lineage connected to Arod.
אֲרוֹדִי adj.gent. c. art. as n.pr.coll.
base
H722 אֲרוֹדִי
722 'Arowdiy ar-o-dee'
patronymic from 721; an Arodite or descendant of
Arod:--Arodi, Arodites.
see HEBREW for 0721
אֲרוֹדִי (a.ro.di) — Arodi.
Someone descended from Arod, a man of the tribe of Gad living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.16;
son of: Gad (H1410);
brother of: Ziphion (H6837), Haggi (H2291), Shuni (H7764), Ezbon (H0675), Eri (H6179) and Areli (H0692); also called Arod at Num.26.17;
Another name of a.rod (אֲרוֹד "Arod" H0720)
§ Arodi or Arodites = "I shall subdue: I shall roam"
descendants of Arod
Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ngmsa
אַרְאֵלִי (Ar'eliy) refers to a son of Gad, one of the tribes of Israel, and is associated with the term 'Arelite,' which denotes his descendants. The name is derived from a root meaning 'heroic' and can be interpreted as 'lion of God.' He is first mentioned in Genesis 46:16, where his family connections are outlined.
אַרְאֵלִי n.pr.m. a son of Gad; also adj.gent. c. art. as n.pr.coll.
base
H692 אַרְאֵלִי a son of Gad
692 'Ar'eliy ar-ay-lee'
from 691; heroic; Areli (or an Arelite, collectively), an
Israelite and his descendants:--Areli, Arelites.
see HEBREW for 0691
אַרְאֵלִי (ar.e.li) — Areli.
A man of the tribe of Gad living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.16;
son of: Gad (H1410);
brother of: Ziphion (H6837), Haggi (H2291), Shuni (H7764), Ezbon (H0675), Eri (H6179) and Arod (H0720)
§ Areli = "lion of God"
1) a son of Gad
2) those of the family of Areli (pater adj-Arelites)
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper masculineHR/Npm
(heroic), a son of Gad. (Genesis 46:16; Numbers 26:17) His descendants are called Arelites. Numb 26:17.
the light or vision of God
→ Son of Gad Ge 46:16
מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah) refers to a clan or family, encompassing a circle of relatives and extending to tribes or peoples. It can also denote a class of persons, species of animals, or kinds of things. The entries highlight its various uses, including guilds and aristocrats, but do not present any significant disagreement.
מִשְׁפָּחָה 303 n.f. clan
clan
= guild
= species, kind
pl. = aristocrats
base
H4940 מִשְׁפָּחָה clan . clan
. = guild
. = species, kind
. pl. = aristocrats
4940 mishpachah mish-paw-khaw'
from 8192 (compare 8198); a family, i.e. circle of relatives;
figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or
sort (of things); by extens. a tribe or people:--family,
kind(-red).
see HEBREW for 08192
see HEBREW for 08198
מִשְׁפָּחָה (mish.pa.chah) — family.
1) clan, family
1a) clan
1a1) family
1a2) tribe
1a3) people, nation
1b) guild
1c) species, kind
1d) aristocrats
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אַרְאֵלִי (Ar'eliy) refers to a son of Gad, one of the tribes of Israel, and is associated with the term 'Arelite,' which denotes his descendants. The name is derived from a root meaning 'heroic' and can be interpreted as 'lion of God.' He is first mentioned in Genesis 46:16, where his family connections are outlined.
אַרְאֵלִי n.pr.m. a son of Gad; also adj.gent. c. art. as n.pr.coll.
base
H692 אַרְאֵלִי a son of Gad
692 'Ar'eliy ar-ay-lee'
from 691; heroic; Areli (or an Arelite, collectively), an
Israelite and his descendants:--Areli, Arelites.
see HEBREW for 0691
אַרְאֵלִי (ar.e.li) — Areli.
A man of the tribe of Gad living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.16;
son of: Gad (H1410);
brother of: Ziphion (H6837), Haggi (H2291), Shuni (H7764), Ezbon (H0675), Eri (H6179) and Arod (H0720)
§ Areli = "lion of God"
1) a son of Gad
2) those of the family of Areli (pater adj-Arelites)
Art | Ngmsa — Particle · noun gentilic masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ngmsa