### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʻÊder**, represented by `{{H5740}}`, is a proper name for an Israelite and two places in Palestine. It appears **3 times** in **3 unique verses**. The name's usage in scripture is specific, serving to identify either a person within a genealogy or a city within a tribal territory.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical occurrences, `{{H5740}}` is used in two distinct contexts. Geographically, **Eder** is listed as one of the "uttermost cities" belonging to the tribe of Judah, situated toward the coast of Edom [[Joshua 15:21]]. Genealogically, **Eder** is identified as an individual, a Levite descended from Mushi. He is listed among the sons of Mushi in the records of the Levites [[1 Chronicles 24:30]], and this lineage is reaffirmed when the text states, "The sons of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jeremoth, three" [[1 Chronicles 23:23]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help establish the context for **ʻÊder** within the biblical record:
* `{{H4187}}` **Mûwshîy** (sensitive; Mushi, a Levite): Mushi is identified as the father of Eder, placing Eder firmly within the Levitical lineage [[1 Chronicles 23:23]].
* `{{H4249}}` **Machlîy** (sick; Machli, the name of two Israelites): Mahli is named as a brother of Eder, listed as one of the sons of Mushi [[1 Chronicles 24:30]].
* `{{H3406}}` **Yᵉrîymôwth** (elevations; Jerimoth or Jeremoth, the name of twelve Israelites): Jerimoth is the third brother named alongside Mahli and Eder, completing the list of Mushi's sons in these passages [[1 Chronicles 23:23]].
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (a son): This word is fundamental to the context of Eder as a person, as it establishes the direct familial relationship within the Levitical genealogies, such as "The sons also of Mushi; Mahli, and Eder, and Jerimoth" [[1 Chronicles 24:30]].
### Theological Significance
While not a theological concept, the significance of `{{H5740}}` lies in its contribution to the Bible's historical and administrative precision.
* **Geographical Boundary:** As a city of Judah, Eder helps to define the specific southern borders of the territory allotted to that tribe, anchoring the narrative in a physical, verifiable space [[Joshua 15:21]].
* **Levitical Lineage:** As a person, Eder's inclusion in the genealogies is crucial for documenting the family lines of the Levites "after the house of their fathers" [[1 Chronicles 24:30]]. This demonstrates the importance of maintaining accurate records for tribal and priestly identity.
* **Familial Record:** The name appears as part of a concise list of three brothers, underscoring the role of the immediate family unit within the larger clan structure of Israel [[1 Chronicles 23:23]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5740}}` is a specific proper noun used to mark both place and person. Its importance is not in abstract meaning but in its function as a precise detail within the larger biblical narrative. Whether identifying one of Judah's southernmost cities or a son in the Levitical line of Mushi, **ʻÊder** serves as a key data point in the historical and genealogical mapping of ancient Israel.
TRV