גּוּנִי
𐤂𐤅𐤍𐤉
Guni
H1476 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Guni — personal name meaning 'protected one' or 'defended,' used as a masculine proper noun referring to individuals in genealogical lists of the Israelite tribes. The name conveys the notion of an individual under special protection or defense, likely implying that the bearer is favorably guarded or shielded.
Semantic Range
personal name; eponymous ancestor; protected one; clan ancestor
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root גנן (g-n-n), meaning 'to cover, protect, defend.' The name Guni (גּוּנִי) derives from this root, bearing a nominal or adjectival formation indicating 'one who is protected' or 'protected one.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name גּוּנִי appears in Genesis 46:24 and Numbers 26:48 as a son of Naphtali, listed among the clan ancestors of the Israelite tribe of Naphtali. It serves as the eponymous ancestor of the Gunites. The use of the name is restricted to genealogical contexts, with no indications of its usage as a common noun. Classical English translations typically transliterate the name directly. The underlying root גנן has a broader semantic field relating to protection and defense, but in the case of this proper name, the meaning is narrower, focusing on the identity of the named individual and his descendants. In post-biblical usage, the name is rare and has not persisted as a common personal name. The term 'Jew' is not applicable, as the context is explicitly tribal Israelite during the patriarchal and early tribal periods.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from גָּנַן; protected; Guni, the name of two Israelites; Guni.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
גָּנַן (Guni) — to cover, protect, defend
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1476-03 |
וְ/גוּנִ֛י | veguni | HC/Np |
and Guni | and Protected-One | and Guni | 2 |
H1476-01 |
גּוּנִ֔י | guni | HNp |
Guni | Protected one | Guni | 1 |
H1476-02 |
לְ/גוּנִ֕י | leguni | HR/Np |
of Guni | to Protected-One | to Guni | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1476-03 |
Genesis 46:24 | וְ/גוּנִ֖י | veguni | HC/Np |
and Guni | and Protected-One | and Guni |
H1476-02 |
Numbers 26:48 | לְ/גוּנִ֕י | leguni | HR/Np |
of Guni | to Protected-One | to Guni |
H1476-01 |
1 Chronicles 5:15 | גּוּנִ֔י | guni | HNp |
Guni | Protected one | Guni |
H1476-03 |
1 Chronicles 7:13 | וְ/גוּנִ֛י | veguni | HC/Np |
and Guni | and Protected-One | and Guni |