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עֵרָן

𐤏𐤓𐤍

Eran

H6197 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עור to rouse, to awaken, to be alert

Definition

Eran—a personal name, most likely referring to a male descendant of Benjamin. Its usage in the Hebrew Bible specifically denotes an individual within a genealogical list, functioning as a proper noun. As a personal name, its fundamental sense is simply the designation of this particular figure. While derived from a root related to wakefulness, in context it carries no lexical meaning beyond personal identification.

Semantic Range

proper name; Eran, a descendant of Benjamin; possibly 'wakeful one' or referring to being alert (by root implication), but only as a personal designation in context

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root עוּר (ʿ-w-r), 'to be awake, to arouse, to be watchful'; the form עֵרָן (ʿÊrān) likely constitutes an extended or augmented form, carrying the derived sense of 'wakeful one' or 'watchful one.' However, in biblical usage, the name functions merely as a designation and not as a descriptor. Thus, the lexical meaning is secondary to its use as a proper name.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עֵרָן (Eran) appears once in the Hebrew Bible (Numbers 26:38), as a descendant of Benjamin through Bela and head of the family of the Eranites (עֵרָנִי). In the context of ancient Israelite genealogies, such proper names sometimes allude to qualities or characteristics (here, potentially 'wakeful'), but the text offers no evidence that such a quality is implied. Later translations (e.g., the Septuagint) transliterate the name as simply Eran. There is no evidence that this figure held broader historical or religious significance outside his appearance in genealogical lists. The English term 'Eranite' for his descendants follows this usage. The personal name is not to be confused with the English term 'Jew,' which is anachronistic for this patriarchal context. The meaning did not develop or shift over time, remaining a unique proper name confined to this genealogical reference.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from עוּר; watchful; Eran, an Israelite; Eran.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עור (ʿ-w-r) — to rouse, to awaken, to be alert

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H216 אוֹר in the skin
H219 אוֹרָה skins of
H4589 מָעוֹר their exposed genitals
H5782 עוּר Let me rouse up
H5783 עוּר she will be roused

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6197-01 לְ/עֵרָ֕ן leeran HR/Np of Eran to Eran 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6197-01 Numbers 26:36 לְ/עֵרָ֕ן leeran HR/Np of Eran to Eran
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