### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Naʻămîy**, represented by `{{H5280}}`, is a patronymic term meaning **Naamites**. It specifically refers to the descendants of an individual named Naaman. This word appears only **1 time** across **1 unique verse** in the Bible, where it serves to identify a particular family group within the nation of Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The single occurrence of `{{H5280}}` is found in [[Numbers 26:40]], during a census of the Israelite tribes. The verse states, "of Naaman, the family of the **Naamites**." This usage precisely defines the lineage and establishes the **Naamites** as a recognized family unit descended from Naaman, who was a son of Bela. Its context is purely genealogical, cementing the identity of this family within the larger tribal structure.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide crucial context for understanding the identity of the **Naamites**:
* `{{H5283}}` **Naʻămân** (Naaman): This is the name of the ancestor from whom the **Naamites** descend. The dossier identifies an Israelite Naaman as one of the sons of Benjamin [[Genesis 46:21]], establishing the specific lineage for this family group.
* `{{H4940}}` **mishpâchâh** (family, kind(-red)): This word is used in the same phrase to classify the **Naamites** as a "family" [[Numbers 26:40]]. It designates a tribe or circle of relatives, a foundational concept in Scripture, as when God declares that through Abraham "all **families** of the earth" would be blessed [[Genesis 12:3]].
### Theological Significance
While appearing only once, the theological significance of `{{H5280}}` is found in what its usage represents:
* **Genealogical Identity:** The existence of a specific term like **Naamites** underscores the biblical importance of lineage. The precise recording of family lines, as seen in the census of [[Numbers 26:40]], was essential for inheritance and covenant identity within Israel.
* **Family as a Core Unit:** The term is explicitly linked with "family" `{{H4940}}`, reinforcing the family as the fundamental building block of the nation. God's plan often unfolds through specific families, whether promising to take "two of a **family**" to Zion [[Jeremiah 3:14]] or holding the "kindreds of the people" accountable for worship [[Psalms 96:7]].
* **Covenantal Order:** The naming of the **Naamites** reflects the careful preservation of ancestral lines within God's people. This detailed record-keeping demonstrates an orderly covenant community where every family had a designated place, a principle also seen in the command for every man to return to his family during the Jubilee [[Leviticus 25:10]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5280}}` **Naʻămîy** is a highly specific genealogical term. Though its usage is limited to a single verse, it plays a distinct role in the biblical narrative by identifying the **Naamites** as a formal family unit. Its existence highlights the deep scriptural value placed on lineage, family structure, and the orderly preservation of the people within God's covenant.
TRV