5280. Naami

Lexical Summary

Naami: Naamites

Original Word: נַעֲמִי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Na`amiy
Pronunciation: nah-ah-MEE
Phonetic Spelling: (nah-am-ee')
KJV: Naamites
NASB: Naamites
Word Origin: [patronymic from H5283 (נַעֲמָן - Naaman)]

1. a Naamanite, or descendant of Naaman (collectively)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Naamites

Patronymic from Na'aman; a Naamanite, or descendant of Naaman (collectively) -- Naamites.

see HEBREW Na'aman

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from Naaman
Definition
desc. of Naaman
NASB Translation
Naamites (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

נַעֲמִי adjective, of a people from II נַעֲמָן

1, Numbers 26:40, read doubtless נעמני (so ⅏).

Topical Lexicon

Identity and Biblical Occurrence

Naʿami appears once in Scripture, in the wilderness census recorded in Numbers 26:40: “These were the descendants of Bela: Ard and Naaman. The Ardite clan from Ard, and the Naamite clan from Naaman.” The form נַעֲמִי marks a Benjaminite whose clan is called the “Naamite.” Though the spelling differs slightly from the more common נַעֲמָן (Naaman), the genealogy and context show that the individual is the same son of Bela mentioned earlier in Genesis 46:21 and later in 1 Chronicles 7:7 and 1 Chronicles 8:4.

Genealogical Setting within the Tribe of Benjamin

1. Benjamin, Jacob’s youngest son, produced ten sons (Genesis 46:21).
2. Bela, Benjamin’s firstborn, fathered Ard and Naaman/Naʿami.
3. From Naʿami derived the Naamites, an identifiable clan within Benjamin at the time of the second census on the plains of Moab (Numbers 26).
4. By Joshua’s allotment, Benjamin’s territory straddled the vital north–south ridge route and included towns later associated with both Saul and the early monarchy (Joshua 18:11-28).

Historical Significance

• The second wilderness census (Numbers 26) served three purposes: it confirmed God’s preservation of Israel’s tribes despite the previous judgment-filled decades, prepared the nation for the conquest of Canaan, and provided the basis for territorial inheritance (Numbers 26:52-56). By naming Naʿami and his clan, the text underscores that every family line would receive a proportionate share in the land promise first given to Abraham (Genesis 17:8).
• Benjamin’s strategic location later positioned the tribe—and thus Naʿami’s descendants—at key moments in redemptive history, including the establishment of Israel’s first king (1 Samuel 9:1-2) and the future birthplace of the apostle Paul (Philippians 3:5).

Thematic and Theological Insights

1. Covenant Faithfulness: The recording of Naʿami’s lineage testifies to God’s unwavering commitment to preserve the patriarchal families. The survival of each clan highlights the reliability of the divine promise that Israel would enter the land as a numerous people (Exodus 1:7; Deuteronomy 1:10).
2. Individual Worth in Corporate Redemption: Scripture’s careful preservation of lesser-known names such as Naʿami affirms that every member of God’s covenant community counts. Just as no clan was overlooked in the distribution of Canaan, no believer is overlooked in the economy of redemption (Luke 12:6-7).
3. Typological Anticipation: Benjamin’s territory—including Jerusalem’s northern approaches—became a theater for messianic events. Although Naʿami himself is obscure, his clan forms part of the tapestry that ultimately leads to David’s dynasty and the greater Son of David (Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:1). Genealogical precision in the Old Testament sets the stage for the New Testament’s genealogy of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:2-3), reinforcing the unity of Scripture.

Ministry Applications

• Valuing Genealogies: Modern readers may skim lists of names, yet passages like Numbers 26 nurture confidence in the accuracy of biblical revelation and remind the church that God’s redemptive account includes ordinary families.
• Encouragement for Hidden Service: Naʿami’s lack of recorded exploits illustrates that significance in God’s kingdom is not measured by public renown but by faithfulness within one’s allotted heritage (1 Corinthians 12:22-24).
• Assurance of Inheritance: Just as every Naamite received land, every believer in Christ “has an inheritance that can never perish” (1 Peter 1:4). The meticulous census foreshadows the Lamb’s book of life, wherein every redeemed name is permanently inscribed (Revelation 21:27).

Summary

Naʿami, though mentioned only briefly, contributes to the inspired record of Israel’s tribal integrity, confirms the fulfillment of covenant promises, and invites believers to trust that the same God who kept the Naamites under His care likewise safeguards His people today.

Forms and Transliterations

הַֽנַּעֲמִֽי׃ הנעמי׃ han·na·‘ă·mî hanna‘ămî HannaaMi

Englishman's Concordance

Numbers 26:40
HEB: לְנַֽעֲמָ֔ן מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַֽנַּעֲמִֽי׃
NAS: of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.
KJV: the family of the Naamites.
INT: of Naaman the family of the Naamites

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 5280
1 Occurrence

han·na·‘ă·mî — 1 Occ.