Lexical Summary Guni: Gunites Original Word: גּוּנִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Gunites Patronymically from Guwniy; a Gunite (collectively with article prefix) or descendants of Guni -- Gunites. see HEBREW Guwniy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Guni Definition desc. of Guni NASB Translation Gunites (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs גּוּנִי adjective, of a people of foregoing 1; with article as collective noun הַגּוּנִי Numbers 26:48; also of individual 2 Samuel 23:32 according to ᵐ5L (Ιεσσαι ὁ Γουνι) Klo Dr; read יָשֵׁן הַגּוּנִי; also 1 Chronicles 11:34 where read id. for השׁם הגזוני (ᵐ5L Εἰρασαι ὁ Γουνι). Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Numbers 26:48 pinpoints the clan of the “Gunites” when Moses and Eleazar record the second wilderness census: “These were the descendants of Naphtali by their clans: the Jahzeelite clan, the Gunite clan, the Jezerite clan, and the Shillemite clan.” Genealogical Context Although the census text is the only place this specific Hebrew form appears, the name behind the clan surfaces earlier in the patriarchal lists (see Genesis 46:24; 1 Chronicles 7:13). Guni was one of the four sons of Naphtali, Jacob’s sixth son, born to Bilhah. Thus, the Gunites carried direct linkage to the family that descended from Jacob’s household into Egypt and later emerged as a full tribe in the Exodus generation. By the time of Numbers 26 the personal name has become a clan designation—evidence that the descendants of a single man had multiplied into a recognized family subdivision within Israel. Historical Background The second census in Numbers was taken on the plains of Moab shortly before Israel crossed the Jordan. The listing of the Gunite clan shows that Guni’s descendants had survived the wilderness judgments and were poised to receive an inheritance in Canaan. Unlike earlier genealogies that simply count heads, the Moabite plains census ties each clan to land allocation (Numbers 26:52-56). Every name therefore carries legal weight for the forthcoming division of territory. Tribal Significance Naphtali inherited territory in the northern reaches of the Promised Land, a region later called Galilee. The inclusion of the Gunite clan ensured that land in that area would stay connected to Guni’s lineage. Centuries later, when Jesus ministered extensively around the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 4:13-15), He served in the very district first apportioned to tribes such as Naphtali. In this way, the memory of the Gunites forms part of the unbroken narrative that stretches from patriarchal promises to Gospel fulfillment. Covenantal Continuity The single notice of the Gunites testifies that God preserves even the lesser-known lines within His covenant people. The promises made to Abraham—“I will make you into a great nation” (Genesis 12:2)—reach down to individual clans like the Gunites, highlighting the meticulous faithfulness of the Lord. The fact that an obscure family receives explicit mention during a pivotal census underscores that no lineage within Israel is overlooked by Scripture or by God. Lessons for Ministry 1. Value of the Hidden Faithful. Modern ministry often celebrates well-known figures, yet the Gunites remind believers that quiet, generational faithfulness matters to God. Small congregations and unnoticed servants contribute to the advance of His kingdom every bit as much as prominent leaders. Theological Reflections A name recorded only once in census form still serves the larger theological theme of Scripture: God redeems an identifiable people for Himself. The inclusion of minor clans demonstrates that redemption is personal as well as corporate. Moreover, in singling out each branch of Naphtali, the narrative anticipates the New Testament truth that Christ “knows His own” (John 10:14). Every clan, every believer, is counted by name. Summary Guni’s single appearance in the census of Numbers 26 blossoms into a testimony of covenant faithfulness, historical continuity, and practical ministry encouragement. Though obscure, the Gunite clan occupies its line in Scripture as a witness that the Lord remembers, records, and fulfills His purposes through every member of His redeemed community. Forms and Transliterations הַגּוּנִֽי׃ הגוני׃ hag·gū·nî hagguNi haggūnîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 26:48 HEB: לְגוּנִ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַגּוּנִֽי׃ NAS: of Guni, the family of the Gunites; KJV: of Guni, the family of the Gunites: INT: of Guni the family of the Gunites 1 Occurrence |
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