Lexical Summary Ard: Ard Original Word: אַרְדְּ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ard, the name of two IsraelitesFrom an unused root probably meaning to wander; fugitive; Ard, the name of two Israelites -- Ard. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a desc. of Benjamin NASB Translation Ard (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs אַרְדְּ proper name, masculine Genesis 46:21 son of Benjamin, but Numbers 26:40 grandson of Benjamin = אַדָּר 1 Chronicles 8:3. Topical Lexicon Biblical OccurrencesArd appears twice in the Old Testament record: 1. Genesis 46:21 lists Ard among the ten sons of Benjamin who migrated to Egypt with Jacob. Historical Context The Genesis reference places Ard at the formative moment when the house of Jacob relocated to Egypt. This move secured Israel’s preservation during famine and set the stage for the nation’s later redemption from bondage. Ard’s name in the list underscores Benjamin’s surprising fruitfulness: while the patriarch himself was the youngest son of Jacob, his line produced ten sons—demonstrating God’s promise of multiplication even in hardship (compare Genesis 35:11). By the time of the plains-of-Moab census in Numbers, several generations had passed. Israel stood on the threshold of Canaan, and tribal organization was critical for allotting territory and assigning military roles. Ard is now mentioned not as a direct son of Benjamin but as a son of Bela, Benjamin’s firstborn. The genealogical shift likely reflects the Hebrew practice of telescoping generations: the term “son” can denote a descendant, so Ard is Benjamin’s grandson through Bela. This highlights Scripture’s reliability in preserving family lines while allowing for customary flexibility in genealogical terminology. Tribal and Genealogical Significance The census assigns Ard a clan—“the Ardite”—ensuring representation in land distribution (Joshua 18) and in subsequent military rosters (Judges 20). Benjamin’s tribal history is marked by volatility: near extinction after the civil conflict at Gibeah (Judges 19–21) and later restoration. The Ardite clan would have shared in both the chastisement and the covenantal mercy extended to Benjamin. Genealogies such as Ard’s thus serve as markers of continuity; they guarantee that each family receives its inheritance and retains its identity within the covenant community. Theological Insights 1. Covenant Fidelity: The preservation of Ard’s line, from Egypt to Canaan, manifests God’s faithfulness to Abraham’s seed. Even lesser-known families are not forgotten in the divine record. Applications for Ministry • Value Every Name: Ard’s brief mention reminds modern believers that God notices individuals whom history might overlook. Pastoral care should mirror this divine attention to the “least” among the flock. Key Text for Reflection “Of Bela were born Ard and Naaman; through Ard, the clan of the Ardites, through Naaman, the clan of the Naamanites.” (Numbers 26:40) Cross-References Genesis 35:11; Genesis 46:8–27; Numbers 1:36–37; Joshua 18:11–28; Judges 20; Philippians 3:5 Forms and Transliterations אַ֣רְדְּ ארד וָאָֽרְדְּ׃ וארד׃ ’ard ard vaAred wā’ārəd wā·’ā·rədLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 46:21 HEB: מֻפִּ֥ים וְחֻפִּ֖ים וָאָֽרְדְּ׃ NAS: Muppim and Huppim and Ard. KJV: Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard. INT: Muppim and Huppim and Ard Numbers 26:40 2 Occurrences |
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