The term "Arvadite" refers to the descendants of Arvad, a son of Canaan, who was the son of Ham, according to the genealogical records in the Bible. The Arvadites are mentioned in the Table of Nations, which is found in Genesis 10, a chapter that outlines the descendants of Noah's sons after the Flood. The specific reference to the Arvadites is found in Genesis 10:18: "the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Eventually the families of the Canaanites were scattered" .

Historical and Geographical Context

Arvad, the progenitor of the Arvadites, is associated with the ancient city of Arvad, located on an island off the coast of present-day Syria. This city, also known as Aradus in Greek and Arwad in modern times, was a significant maritime and commercial center in antiquity. The island city was known for its skilled sailors and shipbuilders, contributing to its reputation as a formidable naval power in the region.

The Arvadites, as inhabitants of this island city, were part of the broader Canaanite civilization, which occupied the land of Canaan before the Israelite conquest. The Canaanites were known for their advanced urban culture, trade networks, and polytheistic religious practices, which often brought them into conflict with the monotheistic Israelites.

Biblical References

In addition to Genesis 10:18, the Arvadites are indirectly referenced in other parts of the Bible through mentions of the city of Arvad. For instance, in Ezekiel 27:8, the prophet Ezekiel describes the city of Tyre and its extensive trade network, noting the involvement of Arvad's sailors: "The men of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers; your own wise men, O Tyre, were aboard as your helmsmen" . This passage highlights the maritime prowess of the Arvadites and their integration into the economic activities of the region.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The Arvadites, like other Canaanite groups, practiced a polytheistic religion that included the worship of various deities associated with natural elements and fertility. This religious system often stood in stark contrast to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites. The cultural and religious practices of the Arvadites and other Canaanite peoples are frequently depicted in the Bible as morally and spiritually corrupt, serving as a backdrop for the Israelites' call to remain distinct and faithful to their covenant with God.

Role in Biblical Narrative

While the Arvadites themselves do not play a prominent role in the biblical narrative, their mention in the genealogical records serves to illustrate the diversity and complexity of the ancient Near Eastern world. The inclusion of the Arvadites in the Table of Nations underscores the interconnectedness of various peoples and cultures in the biblical account of human history. The Arvadites, as part of the Canaanite lineage, represent one of the many nations that the Israelites encountered and interacted with throughout their history, often serving as a foil to highlight the distinct identity and mission of the people of Israel.Arvadite

[ARVAD]

721. Arvadi -- inhab. of Arvad
... inhab. of Arvad. Transliteration: Arvadi Phonetic Spelling: (ar-vaw-dee') Short
Definition: Arvadite. ... of Arvad NASB Word Usage Arvadite (1), Arvadites (1). ...
/hebrew/721.htm - 6k

Chapter x
... begat Sidon, his first-born, and Heth and the Jebusite and the Amorite and the
Girgashite and the Hivite and the Arkite and the Sinite and the Arvadite and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter x.htm

[Endnotes]
... Philistim. Sinite, Hadoram, " Arvadite, Uzal, " Zemarite, Diklah, " Hamathite. Obal, "
Abimael, " Sheba, " Ophir, " Havilah, " Jobab. ". JAPHETH. Gomer, Magog. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/endnotes.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Arvadite (2 Occurrences)
...Arvadite (2 Occurrences). Genesis 10:18 the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. ...
1 Chronicles 1:16 and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. ...
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Zemarite (2 Occurrences)
... The occurrence of the name between Arvadite and Hamathite gives a hint as to locality. ...
Genesis 10:18 the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. ...
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Arvadites (1 Occurrence)
... See ARADUS. H. Porter. Multi-Version Concordance Arvadites (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles
1:16 and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. (See NAS NIV ...
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Zemarites (2 Occurrences)
... Zemarites (2 Occurrences). Genesis 10:18 and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and
the Hamathite; and afterward were the families of the Canaanite spread abroad. ...
/z/zemarites.htm - 6k

Zem'arites (2 Occurrences)
... Zem'arites (2 Occurrences). Genesis 10:18 and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and
the Hamathite; and afterward were the families of the Canaanite spread abroad. ...
/z/zem'arites.htm - 6k

Ar'vadites (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 10:18 the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. ... (See RSV). 1 Chronicles
1:16 and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. (See RSV). ...
/a/ar'vadites.htm - 6k

Arvad (2 Occurrences)

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Ha'mathites (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 10:18 the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. ... (See RSV). 1 Chronicles
1:16 and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. (See RSV). ...
/h/ha'mathites.htm - 6k

Hamathites (2 Occurrences)
... Hamathites (2 Occurrences). Genesis 10:18 and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and
the Hamathite; and afterward were the families of the Canaanite spread abroad. ...
/h/hamathites.htm - 6k

Hamathite (2 Occurrences)
... Hamathite (2 Occurrences). Genesis 10:18 the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. ...
1 Chronicles 1:16 and the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. ...
/h/hamathite.htm - 6k

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