Original Word: כַּרְמִי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Karmiy
Pronunciation: kar-MEE
Phonetic Spelling: (kar-mee')
KJV: Carmi
NASB: Carmi
Word Origin: [from H3754 (כֶּרֶם - vineyard)]

1. gardener
2. Karmi, the name of three Israelites

Carmi

From kerem; gardener; Karmi, the name of three Israelites -- Carmi.

see HEBREW kerem

Word Origin
from the same as kerem
Definition
two Isr.
NASB Translation
Carmi (8).

I. כַּרְמִי proper name, masculine 1. a son of Reuben Genesis 46:9; Exodus 6:14; Numbers 26:6; 1 Chronicles 5:3.

2 a Judaite Joshua 7:1,18; 1 Chronicles 2:7; so 1 Chronicles 4:1, but read perhaps כְּלֻבַי We (compare 1 Chronicles 2:9) — ᵐ5. throughout χαρμ(ε)ι

Carmi (כַּרְמִי, Strong’s Hebrew 3756)

Overview

Carmi is a personal name borne by members of two different tribes in Scripture—Reuben and Judah. Although mentioned only eight times, the name spans four distinct historical settings: the patriarchal migration to Egypt, the wilderness census, the conquest of Canaan, and the early monarchy genealogies recorded in Chronicles. Together these references provide a window into covenant identity, clan structure, and the seriousness with which God views obedience within the community of faith.

Carmi among the sons of Reuben

1 Genesis 46:9 lists Carmi as one of Reuben’s four sons who descended with Jacob into Egypt: “The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi”.

2 Exodus 6:14 repeats the same lineup while introducing Moses’ lineage, reminding readers of the tribal foundations laid long before the Exodus: “These are the heads of their fathers’ households: The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn: Hanoch and Pallu, Hezron and Carmi”.

3 Numbers 26:6, during the second wilderness census, notes “the Hezronite clan, the Carmite clan,” demonstrating that Carmi’s descendants had grown into an identifiable sub-clan within Reuben.

4 1 Chronicles 5:3, compiled centuries later, again preserves the Reubenite heritage: “The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi”.

Historical significance:
• The repeated preservation of Carmi’s name safeguards tribal integrity during slavery, wilderness wandering, and settlement.
• The “Carmite” clan counted toward Reuben’s military totals, underscoring the link between lineage and covenant responsibility under the Mosaic economy.

Carmi in the line of Judah

1 Chronicles 2:7 identifies another Carmi, a grandson of Judah through Zerah: “The son of Carmi was Achar, who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban on devoted things”. 1 Chronicles 4:1 likewise lists him among the principal families of Judah: “The descendants of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal”.

This Judahite Carmi stands chronologically earlier than the Reubenite namesake, living in the era bridging the patriarchs and the conquest. His inclusion in Judah’s genealogies links the tribe’s early history with the later monarchy and ultimately with the messianic line.

Carmi and the sin of Achan

Joshua 7:1 introduces the tragic narrative: “Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was devoted to destruction, so the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites”. Verse 18 shows God’s sovereign exposure of hidden transgression: “Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, was taken”.

Theophanic and covenant implications:
• Though Carmi himself is not portrayed committing sin, his name frames the account of corporate holiness. Israel is stalled at Ai because of sin “in the camp,” proving that covenant privilege demands covenant purity.
• Achan’s theft, traced through Carmi back to Judah, illustrates generational accountability: one man’s disobedience threatens the entire nation, yet swift judgment restores fellowship and enables continued conquest.

Thematic observations

1. Covenant memory: Repetition of Carmi’s name across diverse books testifies to Scripture’s internal coherence and to God’s fidelity in keeping genealogical promises.
2. Family identity and ministry: The rise of a “Carmite” clan within Reuben shows how one ancestor’s faithfulness (or lack thereof) shapes communal destiny.
3. Holiness and inheritance: The juxtaposition of Carmi’s Judahite line with the judgment on Achan warns every generation that promised inheritance is secured through trust and obedience.

Lessons for contemporary ministry

• Cherish spiritual heritage: Just as Israel preserved Carmi’s record, believers benefit from honoring those who have gone before, recognizing both their victories and failures.
• Guard corporate purity: The Achan episode admonishes local congregations to deal lovingly yet decisively with sin so that God’s presence and power are not hindered.
• Serve within one’s “clan”: Carmi’s descendants illustrate that each family and individual has a God-assigned place in the larger mission; faithfulness in that sphere strengthens the whole body.

Conclusion

Though only a minor name in Scripture, Carmi’s appearances trace a line from the patriarchs to the conquest and into the chronicler’s retrospective. His legacy underlines the enduring importance of covenant lineage, communal holiness, and generational faithfulness—truths that remain vital for the Church today.

וְכַרְמִ֔י וְכַרְמִ֖י וְכַרְמִֽי׃ וכרמי וכרמי׃ כַּרְמִ֑י כַּרְמִ֧י כַּרְמִי֩ כרמי לְכַרְמִ֕י לכרמי kar·mî karMi karmî lə·ḵar·mî lecharMi ləḵarmî vecharMi wə·ḵar·mî wəḵarmîInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts