from עַמְרָם; an Amramite or descendant of Amram; Amramite.
Transliteration:ʻAmrâmîy
Pronunciation:am-raw-mee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H6020}}` עַמְרָמִי (ʻAmrâmîy), transliterated as 'Amramite', is a gentilic or patronymic noun derived directly from the proper noun `{{H6019}}` עַמְרָם (ʻAmrâm). The suffix '-î' denotes "belonging to," "descendant of," or "from the family of." Therefore, the core meaning of 'Amramite' is a "descendant of Amram" or one "belonging to the family/clan of Amram." Semantically, it functions as a marker of lineage and tribal identity, specifically within the Levitical tribe. Amram himself was a pivotal figure, the son of Kohath, and the father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, making his descendants central to Israel's history and religious structure.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H6020}}` 'Amramite' appears exclusively in the Old Testament, primarily in genealogical lists and descriptions of the Levitical families. Its occurrences are limited but significant:
* **Numbers 3:27**: "Of Kohath were the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites." Here, the 'Amramites' are enumerated as one of the four principal families descending from Kohath, Moses and Aaron's grandfather. This verse places them firmly within the structure of the Levitical census, highlighting their specific lineage and numerical strength (8,600 males from a month old and upward). Their inclusion in this precise enumeration underscores their established identity and role within the tribe of Levi.
* **1 Chronicles 26:23**: "As for the Amramites, and the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites: and Shebuel the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was ruler of the treasures." This passage, detailing the divisions of the Levites for various temple services, again lists the 'Amramites' among the Kohathite clans. While the text shifts to mention Shebuel, a descendant of Moses (and thus an Amramite), it reaffirms the enduring recognition of this specific lineage within the Levitical organization, even in the post-exilic period. The context here is the allocation of duties related to the sacred treasury, indicating a continued, albeit perhaps evolving, role for the Amramite descendants.
In both contexts, the 'Amramites' are not merely a historical footnote but an active, identifiable group within the Levitical framework, responsible for specific duties related to the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of `{{H6020}}` 'Amramite' is enriched by understanding its connection to several key terms and concepts:
* **`{{H6019}}` עַמְרָם (ʻAmrâm)**: The direct progenitor of the Amramites. Understanding Amram as the father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam is crucial, as it immediately links the 'Amramites' to the most foundational figures of the Mosaic covenant and the Aaronic priesthood.
* **Kohathites**: Amram was a son of Kohath, who was one of Levi's three sons. The Kohathites, including the Amramites, were specifically tasked with carrying the most holy articles of the Tabernacle, such as the Ark of the Covenant, the table of showbread, the lampstand, and the altars ([[Numbers 3:31]], [[Numbers 4:15]]). This specialized duty underscores the sacred trust placed upon this lineage.
* **Levites**: The entire tribe of Levi was set apart for service to the Lord. The Amramites represent a specific, highly significant branch within this tribe.
* **Priesthood (Aaronic)**: The entire priestly line of Israel, beginning with Aaron, descended directly from Amram. Thus, all legitimate priests were, by definition, Amramites through Aaron. This connection is paramount to understanding the theological weight of the term.
* **Leadership (Mosaic)**: Moses, the great lawgiver and prophet, was also an Amramite. While his descendants did not inherit a specific leadership role in the same way Aaron's inherited the priesthood, his unique position as God's chosen mediator further elevates the significance of the Amramite lineage.
* **Genealogy and Lineage**: The very existence of the term highlights the importance of familial and tribal identity in ancient Israel, especially concerning sacred roles and divine appointments.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of the 'Amramite' lineage is profound, touching upon divine election, covenant, and the nature of sacred service:
* **Divine Election and Covenantal Identity**: The Amramites represent a family chosen by God to bear unique responsibilities within His covenant with Israel. From this lineage came the primary mediators of the Old Covenant: Moses, the lawgiver and prophet who led Israel out of Egypt and delivered the Torah, and Aaron, the first high priest, through whom the sacrificial system was established. This highlights God's sovereign choice in establishing His people and ordaining specific individuals and families for His purposes.
* **Continuity of Sacred Ministry**: The perpetuation of the 'Amramite' designation through generations underscores the hereditary nature of the Aaronic priesthood. This continuity ensured the orderly administration of the Tabernacle/Temple cult, emphasizing that sacred service was not merely an individual calling but a divinely ordained, generational trust. It speaks to God's faithfulness in providing a consistent means of approach and atonement for His people.
* **Responsibility and Holiness**: Being an 'Amramite', particularly a priestly one, carried immense responsibility for upholding the sanctity of God's dwelling and the purity of worship. Their proximity to the holy things and their mediatorial role meant they were held to a higher standard of holiness and obedience. The term thus implicitly points to the weight of sacred duty and the consequences of faithfulness or failure within a divinely appointed role.
* **Foreshadowing of Christ**: While not directly, the Amramite lineage, particularly through Moses and Aaron, provides a background for understanding the ultimate mediator and high priest, Jesus Christ. Moses foreshadowed Christ as the Prophet and Lawgiver, and Aaron as the High Priest. The 'Amramite' family, therefore, serves as a foundational human lineage through which God prepared the way for the ultimate fulfillment of mediation and atonement.
### Summary
The term `{{H6020}}` עַמְרָמִי ('Amramite') precisely identifies a descendant of Amram, the father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Biblically, it appears in Numbers and 1 Chronicles, consistently denoting a specific and highly significant family within the Kohathite branch of the Levites. This lineage was entrusted with crucial responsibilities related to the Tabernacle and Temple, including the carrying of sacred articles and, most notably, the perpetuation of the Aaronic priesthood. Theologically, the 'Amramite' designation underscores God's sovereign election of a specific family for covenantal mediation and sacred service. It highlights the divine establishment of the priesthood and leadership in Israel, emphasizing the continuity of sacred roles and the immense responsibility inherent in being chosen for God's work. The Amramites, therefore, represent a foundational pillar in Israel's religious and national identity, through whom God revealed His law and established His means of worship.
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