The name Arodi (Hebrew: ’Arodi) is a name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning “I am a fugitive” or related to the term “wild ass.” Arodi is an ancestral figure in the Bible, specifically named as one of the sons of Gad, the seventh son of Jacob (Israel).
The Genesis of the Tribe
Arodi’s primary significance is his inclusion in the foundational list of the seventy members of Jacob’s family who migrated from Canaan to Egypt to escape the famine. This migration marks a critical turning point in the history of God’s people, transforming a family into a future nation.
Arodi is first listed as a son of Gad in Genesis 46:16:
“And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.” (KJV, emphasis added).
This list establishes the heads of the clans that would eventually form the Tribe of Gad. The mention in Genesis 46 serves as a divine census, confirming the exact lineage that entered the land of Goshen.
The Tribal Lineage
Arodi’s lineage is reaffirmed when the descendants of Jacob were counted shortly before entering the promised land. In this census, the clan tracing its lineage back to Arodi is named the Arodites.
The tribal heads are listed in Numbers 26:17 during the second census taken by Moses:
“Of Arodi, the family of the Arodites.” (KJV, emphasis added).
The phrase “the family of the Arodites” confirms that Arodi was the eponymous ancestor (the person after whom a family, clan, or tribe is named) for one of the major sub-groups within the Tribe of Gad.
The Theological Significance
While no personal actions or historical deeds of Arodi are recorded, his inclusion in these foundational lists carries profound theological meaning:
- Divine Memory and Order: The detailed listing of every son and grandson, including Arodi, underscores the meticulous memory and providential care of God for His covenant people. God does not deal with humanity in vague generalities, but knows and records every ancestor that makes up the framework of the nation of Israel.
- Continuity of Covenant: Arodi’s inclusion is a testament to the continuity of the covenant established with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His life was part of the means through which God preserved the “seed” that would ultimately grow into the nation destined to receive the Law and bring forth the Messiah. The precise genealogies ensured that the tribal inheritances and boundaries could be correctly established upon entering Canaan.
- Fulfillment of Prophecy: The enumeration of the seventy souls in Egypt is a specific fulfillment of the covenant promise made to Abraham, whose descendants were promised to become “a great nation” (Genesis 12:2, KJV).