Lexical Summary Arqi: Arkite Original Word: עַרְקִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Arkite Patrial from an unused name meaning a tush; an Arkite or inhabitant of Erek -- Arkite. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom araq Definition desc. of Canaan, inhab. of the city of Arka NASB Translation Arkite (1), Arkites (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עַרְקִי adjective, of a people Arkite, inhabitant of city ±Ar‡ƒµa (Assyrian Ar‡a COTGlossary DlPa 282, Tel Amarna Ir‡at(a), Egyptian Ar‡antu, compare Assyrian name of a people Ir‡anatai COTGloss, Ency. Bib.i. 310); — only ׳הָע as n.collective Genesis 10:17, τὸν Ἀρουκαῖον, = 1 Chronicles 1:15, A id., ᵐ5L τὸν Αρακει: modern ±Ar‡a, near Mediterranean, approximately 60 miles north of Beirut (compare Ency. Bib.l.c.). I. ערר (√ of following; on this [and not עור] see NöZMG xxxii (1878), 404 LagSymm. ii. 91 f.; compare Palmyrene מערתא sepulchre). Topical Lexicon Etymology and Identity The Arkites were a Canaanite clan descended from Canaan, the son of Ham and grandson of Noah. Their name derives from their principal city, Arqa (modern Tell ʿArqa) on the northern Lebanese coast, identifying both the people and their homeland. Occurrences in Scripture The Arkites appear twice, in the parallel genealogies of Genesis 10:17 and 1 Chronicles 1:15. Genesis 10:17 lists “the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites,” situating them among the sons of Canaan in the Table of Nations. 1 Chronicles repeats the record, confirming the continuity of Israel’s preserved genealogies. Geographical Setting Arqa lay about twenty miles northeast of present-day Tripoli, Lebanon, controlling the fertile Akkar plain at the foot of Mount Lebanon. Its location along coastal and inland trade routes placed the Arkites within the Phoenician sphere, exposed to maritime commerce and the religious practices of Sidon and Tyre. Historical Background While Scripture gives no narrative about the Arkites themselves, external sources illuminate their history. Egyptian New Kingdom inscriptions and the Amarna Letters mention “Irqata,” a city requesting Pharaoh’s protection. Assyrian kings later recorded the subjugation of “Arqata,” showing continuous occupation from the Bronze Age through the Iron Age. These records corroborate the biblical designation of a distinct Arkite people. Relation to Israel The Arkites occupied territory beyond the northern border conquered by Joshua. Their inclusion in the genealogical lists reminded Israel that the surrounding nations—though outside the covenant community—shared common descent from Noah and remained under God’s moral jurisdiction. Prophetic oracles against Phoenician cities indirectly encompassed the Arkite homeland, underscoring divine accountability. Theological Significance 1. Trustworthiness of Scripture: The identical mention of the Arkites in Genesis and Chronicles underscores the accuracy and preservation of the biblical genealogies. Lessons for Ministry Today • Genealogies ground faith in real history, strengthening apologetics. Thus the brief biblical notice of the Arkites serves as a reminder of God’s comprehensive oversight of human history and His intention to gather a people for Himself from “every nation, tribe, people, and language” (Revelation 7:9). Forms and Transliterations הַֽעַרְקִ֖י הערקי ha‘arqî ha·‘ar·qî haarKiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:17 HEB: הַֽחִוִּ֥י וְאֶת־ הַֽעַרְקִ֖י וְאֶת־ הַסִּינִֽי׃ NAS: and the Hivite and the Arkite and the Sinite KJV: And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite, INT: and the Hivite and the Arkite and the Sinite 1 Chronicles 1:15 2 Occurrences |
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