5476. Sodi
Lexical Summary
Sodi: Secret, counsel, intimate circle

Original Word: סוֹדִי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Cowdiy
Pronunciation: so-dee'
Phonetic Spelling: (so-dee')
KJV: Sodi
NASB: Sodi
Word Origin: [from H5475 (סוֹד - council)]

1. a confidant
2. Sodi, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Sodi

From cowd; a confidant; Sodi, an Israelite -- Sodi.

see HEBREW cowd

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from the same as sod
Definition
a Zebulunite
NASB Translation
Sodi (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
סוֺדִי proper name, masculine a Zebulunite Numbers 13:10 (= *סוֺדִיָּה intimacy of Yah); — ᵐ5 Σουδ(ε)ι. — Vid also בְּסוֺדְיָה above

סוה (√ of following; compare Phoenician סוית curtain, veil ? Bloch46 Lzb328).

Topical Lexicon
Name and meaning

Sodi (Strong’s Hebrew 5476, סוֹדִי) carries the idea of “confidant” or “one of secret counsel,” drawing on the Hebrew concept of intimate fellowship and trustworthy advice (compare Psalm 25:14). Even though the word occurs only as a proper name, the thematic resonance of covenant intimacy and faith-grounded counsel enhances its narrative setting.

Canonical appearance

Numbers 13:10 records Sodi as the father of Gaddiel, Zebulun’s delegate among the twelve men sent by Moses to spy out Canaan: “from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi”. This single mention situates Sodi in Israel’s second-year wilderness itinerary, shortly after the covenant ratification at Sinai and prior to the nation’s prolonged wandering following the spies’ report (Numbers 13—14).

Historical backdrop

1. Period: Approximately 1445–1444 BC, between the Exodus (Exodus 12) and Israel’s approach to Kadesh Barnea (Numbers 13:26).
2. Setting: A nomadic community recently organized into tribal camps (Numbers 2), governed by divine law, and preparing to enter the Promised Land.
3. Social role: As the head of a paternal line within Zebulun, Sodi belonged to the generation that witnessed the Exodus miracles and covenant establishment at Sinai, shouldering responsibility to transmit faith and obedience to his offspring (Deuteronomy 6:6–7).

Significance within Zebulun

1. Tribal identity: Jacob’s blessing foretold maritime openness for Zebulun (Genesis 49:13), echoed by Moses’ later blessing linking Zebulun to “the abundance of the seas” (Deuteronomy 33:18–19). Sodi’s family would have cultivated expectations of territorial inheritance along strategic trade routes.
2. Clan leadership: The appointment of Gaddiel implies that Sodi’s household enjoyed standing among Zebulun’s clans. Numbers 1:9 lists Eliab son of Helon as tribal prince, but representation on the spy mission rotated among clan leaders of proven faithfulness.

The spy commission

1. Mandate: “Spy out the land of Canaan” (Numbers 13:17). Moses’ selection of twelve “men, all leaders” (Numbers 13:3) underscores that Sodi raised a son capable of national service.
2. Outcome: Ten spies returned with fear-laden discouragement; only Caleb and Joshua spoke in faith (Numbers 14:6–9). Scripture does not single out Gaddiel’s words, yet he sided with the majority, leading to God’s judgment of forty years’ wandering. This silence places Sodi’s legacy in tension: honored by selection, yet overshadowed by failure to uphold steadfast trust.
3. Generational impact: Every spy except Caleb and Joshua died in the wilderness (Numbers 14:30, 38). Thus Sodi’s natural line through Gaddiel ended short of inheritance, illustrating covenant accountability extending beyond individuals to families (Numbers 14:32-33).

Lessons in covenant faithfulness

• Spiritual parenthood: Sodi’s example reminds believers that positional honor does not exempt descendants from personal obedience. Godly heritage must be matched by living faith (Ezekiel 18:20).
• The counsel of the Lord: The underlying meaning of Sodi evokes Psalm 25:14, “The LORD confides in those who fear Him”. True “sod” is secured by reverent faith, the very quality lacking in the majority report.
• Leadership selection: Israel chose proven leaders, yet internal unbelief still surfaced. Churches and ministries must pair recognized gifting with tested trust in God’s promises (1 Timothy 3:10).

Ministerial insights

1. Intercession for the next generation: Like Sodi, parents and mentors pass on spiritual opportunity; prayer and discipleship help successors respond in faith where earlier examples faltered (2 Timothy 1:5).
2. Corporate responsibility: Congregational decisions—such as the spies’ report—shape collective destiny. Sodi’s family account urges today’s assemblies to cultivate courageous majority faith rather than timid consensus (Hebrews 3:12–19).
3. Redeeming lost potential: Though Gaddiel failed, Zebulun’s tribe eventually inherited land (Joshua 19:10–16) and produced faithful servants, including those who rallied to David at Hebron (1 Chronicles 12:33). God’s purposes prevail despite individual shortcomings.

Christological and canonical trajectory

The name Sodi, rooted in “secret counsel,” anticipates the fuller revelation of divine mystery in Jesus Christ: “the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints” (Colossians 1:26). The New Covenant realizes the intimate fellowship only typified by the Old Testament “sod,” granting believers direct access to God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:7-10). Thus Sodi’s thematic footprint ultimately directs attention to the greater Counselor who imparts enduring faith.

Key references

Numbers 13:10; Numbers 14:6-9, 30-38; Psalm 25:14; Genesis 49:13; Deuteronomy 33:18-19; Joshua 19:10-16; 1 Chronicles 12:33; Colossians 1:26.

Forms and Transliterations
סוֹדִֽי׃ סודי׃ sō·w·ḏî soDi sōwḏî
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Numbers 13:10
HEB: גַּדִּיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ סוֹדִֽי׃
NAS: Gaddiel the son of Sodi;
KJV: Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
INT: Gaddiel the son of Sodi

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 5476
1 Occurrence


sō·w·ḏî — 1 Occ.

5475
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