Original Word: עֵרָנִי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: `Eraniy
Pronunciation: ay-rah-NEE
Phonetic Spelling: (ay-raw-nee')
KJV: Eranites
NASB: Eranites
Word Origin: [patronymically from H6197 (עֵרָן - Eran)]

1. an Eranite or descendant (collectively) of Eran

Eranites

Patronymically from Eran; an Eranite or descendant (collectively) of Eran -- Eranites.

see HEBREW Eran

Word Origin
from Eran
Definition
desc. of Eran
NASB Translation
Eranites (1).

עֵרָנִי adjective, of a people of עֵרָן, with article as substantive collective Numbers 26:36, עדני Sam Ginsb^margin, ᵐ5 Εδενει.

Background and Tribal Setting

Eranites (עֵרָנִי, Strong’s 6198) were the clan that descended from Eran, himself a descendant of Shuthelah and therefore of Ephraim, son of Joseph. Their single mention comes in the second wilderness census: “These were the sons of Shuthelah: the Eranite clan from Eran” (Numbers 26:36). In that census the wider Ephraimite total numbered 32,500 fighting men (Numbers 26:37). The clan’s inclusion affirms the divine concern for every family line as Israel prepared to enter Canaan.

Placement in the Second Census

1. Purpose. The second census (Numbers 26) was taken after a generation died in the wilderness to determine land allotments and military readiness. Recording even a newly listed sub-clan such as the Eranites underscored Israel’s corporate identity and covenant continuity.
2. Contrast with the First Census. Ephraim had counted 40,500 men in Numbers 1:33; by the second census the tribe decreased by 8,000. The Eranites were therefore part of a diminished but chastened Ephraim, illustrating the consequences of unbelief (Numbers 14) yet also God’s preservation of a remnant.
3. Impending Inheritance. The census list would be used by Eleazar and Joshua when they “divided the land by lot at Shiloh” (Joshua 18:10). The Eranite totals affected Ephraim’s territorial boundaries, later home to Shiloh, the tabernacle, and Samuel’s early ministry.

Covenant Significance and Later History

• Representation among the Twelve. As sons of Joseph, Ephraimites embodied the double portion Jacob granted to Joseph (Genesis 48:22). The Eranites thus shared in that privileged status.
• Participation in Conquest. Though unnamed in Joshua, Eranite men would have crossed the Jordan (Joshua 3), marched around Jericho (Joshua 6), and helped secure hill-country towns allotted to Ephraim (Joshua 16).
• Northern Kingdom Influence. Centuries later, Ephraim became the leading tribe of the Northern Kingdom (1 Kings 12:25). The Eranite lineage, woven into that tribal fabric, experienced both the kingdom’s rise and its Assyrian exile (2 Kings 17:6).
• Eschatological Hope. Prophets envisioned Ephraim’s eventual restoration: “Ephraim shall be like a warrior, and their hearts shall rejoice as with wine” (Zechariah 10:7). By implication the Eranites, though lost to history, share in that promised regathering.

Theological and Ministry Themes

1. God Knows Every Family. A lone census note assures believers that no household is overlooked in the divine record (Malachi 3:16; Revelation 20:12).
2. Generational Faithfulness. The Eranites inherited covenant promises through Eran, Shuthelah, Ephraim, and Joseph. Modern readers are urged to transmit the faith so that future “clans” are counted among the redeemed (2 Timothy 1:5).
3. Warning and Mercy. Ephraim’s numerical decline between censuses warns against rebellion, yet the Eranites’ survival testifies to mercy. Congregations today must heed both lessons (Hebrews 3:7-15).
4. Corporate Identity in Christ. Just as the Eranites were counted within Ephraim, so believers are counted in Christ’s body, with each name written in heaven (Luke 10:20).

Christological Reflections

Joseph’s account foreshadows Christ’s suffering and exaltation; his son Ephraim (“fruitfulness”) points to resurrection fruitfulness (John 12:24). The Eranites, springing from that line, remind the church that every believer contributes to the increase of the true Ephraim, Jesus the Messiah, “the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29).

Key Reference

Numbers 26:36.

הָעֵרָנִֽי׃ הערני׃ hā‘êrānî hā·‘ê·rā·nî haeraNiInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts