אֲרוֹד
𐤀𐤓𐤅𐤃
Arod
H720 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name, most likely denoting 'Arod,' a descendant of Gad listed in genealogical records. The word itself does not function as a common noun but as a proper name. The exact meaning is unclear, though it may be associated with notions of 'fugitive' or 'wanderer' based on possible root connections. In biblical contexts, it appears strictly as a genealogical designation within the tribe of Gad.
Semantic Range
proper name of an individual, possibly associating with concepts such as 'fugitive' or 'wanderer' (by folk etymology), but used strictly as a genealogical designation in the Hebrew Bible
Root / Etymology
Likely related to the root ארד, though the precise root is uncertain. Some scholars suggest a connection to the root רוד (to roam, wander, or flee), but the spelling differs slightly. The form אֲרוֹד (ʼĂrôwd) may be an orthographical variation of אַרְוָד (Arvad, H719), a place name. However, direct etymology is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name אֲרוֹד appears in Numbers 26:17 as a son of Gad and founder of the Arodite clan. Its usage is limited to genealogical contexts, specifically in enumeration lists associated with the Israelites' wilderness period. The occurrence as a name for an Israelite distinguishes it from אַרְוָד (Arvad), which is a name for a Phoenician coastal city. English translations render it as 'Arod,' following the Septuagint's rendering (Arod, Ἀρωδή), but this transliteration does not elucidate its original meaning. Later terminology such as 'Jew' does not apply here—the reference is to a member of an Israelite tribal group during the wilderness wanderings. The meaning 'fugitive' attributed by Strong's gloss is speculative and based on root similarity rather than firm evidence; the proper name's precise meaning in Hebrew remains obscure.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
an orthographical variation of אַרְוַד; fugitive; Arod, an Israelite; Arod.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
ארד (ʾ-r-d) — uncertain; possibly to roam, to wander, to flee
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H714 | אַרְדְּ | Ard |
| H715 | אַרְדּוֹן | Ardon |
| H716 | אַרְדִּי | the Ard-clansman |
| H721 | אַרְוָדִי | the Arvadite |
| H722 | אֲרוֹדִי | the Arodite |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H720-01 |
לַ/אֲר֕וֹד | laarod | HR/Np |
to Arod | to Arod | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H720-01 |
Numbers 26:17 | לַ/אֲר֕וֹד | laarod | HR/Np |
to Arod | to Arod |