Eri is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the genealogical records of the tribes of Israel. He is recognized as one of the sons of Gad, who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, also known as Israel. The name "Eri" is believed to mean "watchful" or "vigilant," reflecting a characteristic that may have been attributed to him or his descendants.

Biblical References:

Eri is mentioned in the Book of Genesis and the Book of Numbers, where the genealogies of the tribes of Israel are detailed. In Genesis 46:16 , the text states: "The sons of Gad: Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli." This passage lists Eri among the sons of Gad who went down to Egypt with Jacob and his family during the time of famine.

Further mention of Eri is found in the Book of Numbers, which provides a census of the Israelites during their wilderness journey. Numbers 26:16 records: "The descendants of Gad by their clans: through Zephon, the Zephonite clan; through Haggi, the Haggite clan; through Shuni, the Shunite clan; through Ozni, the Oznite clan; through Eri, the Erite clan." Here, Eri is noted as the progenitor of the Erite clan, one of the family groups within the tribe of Gad.

Tribal Significance:

The tribe of Gad, to which Eri belonged, was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe settled on the eastern side of the Jordan River, in the region known as Gilead. This area was known for its fertile land and strategic location, which played a significant role in the defense and prosperity of the Israelites.

The descendants of Eri, known as the Erites, would have been part of the larger tribal confederation of Gad. As with other clans within the tribes of Israel, the Erites contributed to the military, social, and religious life of the nation. The tribe of Gad was known for its warriors, and it is likely that the Erites shared in this martial tradition.

Cultural and Historical Context:

The genealogical records in which Eri is mentioned serve not only as historical accounts but also as a means of establishing identity and continuity for the people of Israel. These records were crucial for maintaining tribal affiliations and inheritance rights, especially during the periods of conquest and settlement in the Promised Land.

Eri's inclusion in these genealogies underscores the importance of family lineage in the biblical narrative. Each name represents a link in the chain of God's covenantal promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and by extension, to the entire nation of Israel.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the mention of Eri and his descendants highlights the faithfulness of God in preserving the tribes of Israel. Despite the challenges and adversities faced by the Israelites, the continuity of their genealogies serves as a testament to God's enduring covenant with His people.

Eri's place within the tribe of Gad also reflects the diversity and unity of the nation of Israel. Each tribe, with its unique characteristics and contributions, played a vital role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan as recorded in the Scriptures.Eri

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Eri

(watchful), son of Gad, (Genesis 46:16) and ancestor of the Erites. (Numbers 26:16)

ERI; ERITES

e'-ri, e'-rits (`eri, "watcher"):

The fifth of the seven sons of Gad (Genesis 46:16 Numbers 26:16).

Patronymic, Erites (same place), a clan of Gad.

712. ariston -- breakfast, dinner
... Word Origin perhaps from eri (early) and prim. root ed- (eat, see esthio) Definition
breakfast, dinner NASB Word Usage dinner (1), luncheon (1), meal (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/712.htm - 7k6179. Eri -- a Gadite
... Eri. 6180 . a Gadite. Transliteration: Eri Phonetic Spelling: (ay-ree') Short
Definition: Eri. Word Origin from ur Definition a Gadite NASB Word Usage Eri (2) ...
/hebrew/6179.htm - 6k

6180. Eri -- descendant of Eri
... 6179, 6180. Eri. 6181 . descendant of Eri. Transliteration: Eri Phonetic Spelling:
(ay-ree') Short Definition: Erites. Word Origin from Eri Definition desc ...
/hebrew/6180.htm - 6k

Editor's Preface
... Four of them relate to no less a personage than Kudur-Laghghamar or Chedor-laomer,
"King of Elam," as well as to Eri-Aku or Arioch, King of Larsa, and his son ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 1/editors preface.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... the fate of the sovereign power, and an Elamite prince, Kudur-Mabug by name, was
made "Father" or "Governor of the land of the Amorites." His son Eri-Aku, the ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4
... dynasty and its struggle with Central Chaldaea-Elam, its geographical position,
its peoples; Kutur-Nakhunta conquers Larsam-Bimsin (Eri-Aku); Khammurabi founds ...
/.../history of egypt chaldaea syria babylonia and assyria v 4/title page.htm

Chapter xiv
... Certainly "Arioch" is analogous to Eri-Aku, whom some identify with Rim-Sin, King
of Larsa, which last name certainly resembles "Ellasar," an old Babylonian ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

Chapter xlvi
... living in their sons. 16-18. And the sons of Gad: Ziphion, and Haggi,
Shuni and Ezbon, Eri and Arodi and Areli. And the sons of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlvi.htm

Introduction
... under the domination of the Elamites, and while Amraphel or Khammurabi was allowed
to rule at Babylon as a vassal-prince, an Elamite of the name of Eri-Aku or ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/introduction.htm

Appendices
... Babylonia conquered by the Elamites; Kudur-Laghghamar (Chedor-laomer) king of Elam
is suzerain, while Eri-Aku (Arioch) governs southern Babylonia and makes ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... to Kudur-lagamar and Tudkhula, which he has published in a Paper road before the
Victoria Institute, Jan.20, 1896, have shown that the true reading is Eri-Aku. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Aristeas Philokratei
... 218 Epiblepe dia pantos eis ten seautou doxan kai ten huperochen, ina toutois akoloutha
kai leges kai dianoe, ginoskon hoti pantes hon archeos [eri sou kai ...
/.../aristeas philokratei.htm

Eri (2 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia ERI; ERITES. e'-ri, e'-rits (`eri, "watcher"): The fifth
of the seven sons of Gad (Genesis 46:16 Numbers 26:16). ...Eri (2 Occurrences). ...
/e/eri.htm - 7k

Eri-aku
Eri-aku. Eriaku, Eri-aku. Erite . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ERI-AKU. er-ia-koo', e-ri-a-ku': 1. The Name and Its ...
/e/eri-aku.htm - 11k

Eriaku
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ERI-AKU. er-ia-koo', e-ri-a-ku': 1. The Name
and Its Etymology: This is the probable Sumerian reading ...
/e/eriaku.htm - 11k

Chedorlaomer (5 Occurrences)
... The king of Larsa was Eri-Aku ("the servant of the moon-god"), the son of an Elamite
prince, Kudur-Mabug, who is entitled "the father of the land of the ...
/c/chedorlaomer.htm - 16k

Arioch (6 Occurrences)
... who was confederate with Chedorlamer (Genesis 14:1, 9). The tablets recently discovered
by Mr. Pinches (see CHALDEA) show the true reading is Eri-Aku of Larsa. ...
/a/arioch.htm - 10k

Erites (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ERI; ERITES. e'-ri, e'-rits (`eri, "watcher"):
The fifth of the seven sons of Gad (Genesis 46:16 Numbers 26:16). ...
/e/erites.htm - 7k

Tidal (2 Occurrences)
... After referring to a ruler who did not maintain the temples, Durmah-ilani son of
Eri-Aku (Arioch) is referred to, appatently as one who ravaged the country ...
/t/tidal.htm - 11k

Erite (1 Occurrence)
... Erite (1 Occurrence). Numbers 26:16 of Ozni, the family of the Oznites; of Eri,
the family of the Erites; (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/e/erite.htm - 6k

Chaldea (8 Occurrences)
... In the time of Abram the king of Larsa was Eri-Aku, the son of an Elamite prince,
and Eri-Aku, as has long been recognized, is the Biblical "Arioch king of ...
/c/chaldea.htm - 25k

Amraphel (2 Occurrences)
... Next in order comes Amraphel, king of Babylonia and suzerain of Arioch
of Ellasar (Eri-Aku of Larsa), whose name closes the list. ...
/a/amraphel.htm - 12k

Who was Gad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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