patronymically from כַּרְמִי; a Karmite or descendant of Karmi; Carmites.
Transliteration:Karmîy
Pronunciation:kar-mee'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term כַּרְמִי (Karmîy), Strong's number `{{H3757}}`, is primarily a patronymic noun. Its base definition indicates it refers to "a Karmite or descendant of Karmi." The word is derived from the personal name Karmi, signifying an individual belonging to the lineage or family of a person named Karmi. As a patronymic, its semantic range is limited to genealogical identification, marking familial or tribal affiliation. It serves to denote a specific branch or subdivision within a larger tribal structure, emphasizing ancestry and inherited identity. While its core meaning is straightforwardly genealogical, its significance is deeply embedded in the social and theological fabric of ancient Israelite society, where lineage played a crucial role in identity, inheritance, and covenant standing.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term כַּרְמִי (Karmîy) appears in the Hebrew Bible in three distinct contexts, with a nuanced application:
1. **Numbers 26:6**: "These are the families of Reuben: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the family of the Carmites." Here, כַּרְמִי (Karmîy) clearly functions as a collective noun, identifying a specific family or clan ("the Carmites") descended from Carmi, a son of Reuben. This verse is part of the second census of Israel, highlighting the organized tribal structure and the distinct families within each tribe. It establishes the Carmites as a recognized subdivision of the tribe of Reuben.
2. **Joshua 7:1**: "But the people of Israel broke faith in the matter of the devoted things; for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel." In this instance, כַּרְמִי (Karmîy) refers to an individual, Carmi, who is an ancestor of Achan. Although the Strong's definition for `{{H3757}}` emphasizes its patronymic use, the biblical text here applies the identical lemma to name the direct ancestor. This highlights a flexibility in Hebrew nomenclature where the name of a progenitor and the name of the clan derived from him can share the same lexical form. This Carmi belongs to the tribe of Judah, indicating a separate individual from the Karmi of Reuben's lineage.
3. **1 Chronicles 2:7**: "The sons of Carmi: Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the matter of the devoted thing." This verse parallels Joshua 7:1, reaffirming Carmi as the father of Achan (here called Achar, a play on words relating to "trouble"). Again, כַּרְמִי (Karmîy) denotes the individual ancestor, further illustrating the dual application of the term for both the progenitor and the subsequent lineage.
Across these occurrences, כַּרְמִי (Karmîy) serves to establish and trace lineage, whether identifying a specific clan within a tribe (Reuben) or pinpointing a key ancestor in a significant narrative (Achan's sin in Judah).
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is כַּרְמִי (Karmîy) `{{H3756}}`, which is the personal name "Karmi" from which the patronymic `{{H3757}}` is derived. As observed in the biblical occurrences, the distinction between the personal name and the patronymic can sometimes blur in usage, with `{{H3757}}` being used for both the ancestor and the clan. This overlap underscores the deep connection between the individual and their lineage in ancient Israelite thought.
Broader related concepts include:
* **Lineage and Genealogy**: The emphasis on כַּרְמִי (Karmîy) highlights the meticulous record-keeping of family lines in Israel, crucial for tribal identity, inheritance, land distribution, and religious roles. Terms like מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpāḥâ, "family" or "clan" `{{H4940}}`) and בֵּית אָב (bêṯ 'āḇ, "father's house" `{{H1004}}`) are foundational to understanding the social structure where patronymics like Karmîy operate.
* **Tribal Identity**: Being a "Karmite" meant belonging to a specific tribe (Reuben or Judah), which defined one's place within the covenant community and the nation of Israel.
* **Corporate Responsibility**: The story of Achan, a descendant of Carmi, powerfully illustrates the concept of corporate responsibility, where the actions of an individual could have far-reaching consequences for their entire family, clan, and even the nation.
### Theological Significance
While כַּרְמִי (Karmîy) is fundamentally a genealogical marker, its theological significance emerges from the contexts in which it appears:
1. **Divine Order and Faithfulness**: The meticulous recording of lineages, including the "family of the Carmites," demonstrates God's sovereign ordering of His people. It reflects His faithfulness in preserving the tribal structures and the covenant promises made to Abraham, ensuring the continuity of His chosen nation. Genealogies are not mere lists but attestations to divine oversight and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through specific families.
2. **Covenant Identity and Belonging**: To be identified as a "Karmite" meant being an integral part of the covenant community of Israel. This lineage conferred identity, rights, and responsibilities within the theocratic nation. It underscored the importance of one's place within God's people, where individual identity was often inseparable from familial and tribal affiliation.
3. **The Gravity of Sin and Corporate Accountability**: The most profound theological implication arises from the narrative of Achan, whose lineage is traced directly through Carmi. Achan's transgression against God's command regarding the devoted things brought severe judgment not only upon himself but also upon the entire nation of Israel, leading to their defeat at Ai. This episode powerfully illustrates the principle of corporate solidarity and accountability within the covenant. Achan's sin, though personal, had communal ramifications, highlighting the interconnectedness of individuals within the family of God and the seriousness with which God views disobedience within His covenant people. The detailed genealogy underscores that even within a divinely ordered lineage, personal sin can disrupt the communal blessing.
### Summary
כַּרְמִי (Karmîy) `{{H3757}}` is a Hebrew patronymic primarily signifying "a descendant of Karmi" or "a Karmite." While defined as a patronymic, biblical usage also applies the term to the individual ancestor Karmi himself. It appears in the genealogies of both the tribe of Reuben (Numbers 26:6) and the tribe of Judah (Joshua 7:1; 1 Chronicles 2:7). Its presence underscores the vital role of lineage in ancient Israelite society, establishing identity, tribal affiliation, and inheritance. Theologically, כַּרְמִי (Karmîy) points to God's meticulous ordering of His people, the significance of covenant identity, and, most poignantly through the story of Achan, the profound concept of corporate responsibility and the far-reaching consequences of sin within the covenant community.
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