Lexical Summary Eran: Eran Original Word: עֵרָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Eran Probably from uwr; watchful; Eran, an Israelite -- Eran. see HEBREW uwr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ur Definition an Ephraimite NASB Translation Eran (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֵרָן proper name, masculine (si vera lectio) an Ephraimite Numbers 26:36, but עדן Sam Ginsbmargin, ᵐ5 Εδεν. Topical Lexicon Scriptural Context Numbers 26:35-36 presents Eran during the second wilderness census: “These were the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: of Shuthelah, the clan of the Shuthelahites; of Beker, the clan of the Bekerites; of Tahan, the clan of the Tahanites. The descendants of Shuthelah were: of Eran, the clan of the Eranites” (Berean Standard Bible). Eran therefore stands as a grandson of Ephraim (son → Shuthelah → Eran) and the eponymous ancestor of the Eranites. Lineage within the Tribe of Ephraim • Patriarchal chain: Joseph → Ephraim → Shuthelah → Eran. Historical Setting: The Second Wilderness Census The census on the plains of Moab (circa 1406 BC) prepared Israel for entry into Canaan. Ephraim’s total dropped from 40,500 (Numbers 1:33) to 32,500 (Numbers 26:37), yet the Eranites still formed a recognized fighting and land-holding unit. The survival of Eran’s line through decades of wilderness hardship illustrates divine preservation amid judgment and loss (Numbers 14:29-34). A Name Preserved for Possession in the Land Though Scripture does not later single out the Eranites, their ancestral name secured an equal share when Joshua cast lots for Ephraim’s inheritance (Joshua 16). Every parcel allotted to Ephraim implicitly included territory for Eran’s descendants, fulfilling the Lord’s promise that “each tribe of his fathers shall inherit” (Numbers 26:55). Possible Subsequent Footprints Later genealogies of 1 Chronicles 7 list numerous Ephraimite lines without mentioning Eran, suggesting assimilation or name changes over time. Even so, the clan’s initial identification in Moses’ record validates its historical reality and honors its role in settling the central hill country of Canaan. Theological Reflection: God’s Faithfulness Through Generations 1. Individual remembrance: A solitary verse memorializes Eran, yet it secures his descendants’ place in salvation history. Ministry Applications • Hidden service—Like Eran, many believers labor without widespread recognition, yet their legacy shapes future generations (Hebrews 6:10). Eran’s brief appearance embodies a larger biblical principle: the Lord treasures every name written among His people and weaves even the smallest clan into the unfolding account of redemption. Forms and Transliterations לְעֵרָ֕ן לערן lə‘êrān lə·‘ê·rān leeRanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 26:36 HEB: בְּנֵ֣י שׁוּתָ֑לַח לְעֵרָ֕ן מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָעֵרָנִֽי׃ NAS: of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family KJV: of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family INT: are the sons of Shuthelah of Eran the family of the Eranites 1 Occurrence |
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