The Ardites are a lesser-known group mentioned in the genealogical records of the Old Testament. They are identified as descendants of Benjamin, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, also known as Israel. The reference to the Ardites can be found in the Book of Numbers, which provides a census of the tribes of Israel during their wilderness journey.

Biblical Reference:

The primary mention of the Ardites is found in Numbers 26:38-40 : "The descendants of Benjamin by their clans were: the Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram, the Shuphamite clan from Shupham, and the Huphamite clan from Hupham. The descendants of Bela were Ard and Naaman. The Ardite clan came from Ard, and the Naamite clan from Naaman."

In this passage, the Ardites are listed as one of the clans descending from Ard, who is a son of Bela. Bela is the firstborn son of Benjamin, making the Ardites part of the broader Benjamite lineage. This genealogical detail underscores the importance of family and tribal affiliations in the Israelite community, as each clan played a role in the social and religious life of the nation.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The genealogies in the Book of Numbers serve not only as a record of the Israelite population but also as a means of organizing the tribes for various purposes, including military service, religious duties, and land inheritance. The Ardites, as part of the tribe of Benjamin, would have been involved in these aspects of Israelite society.

The tribe of Benjamin held a significant position among the tribes of Israel. Despite being one of the smaller tribes, Benjamin's territory included the city of Jerusalem, which later became the political and spiritual center of Israel. The tribe is also notable for producing several key figures in Israelite history, including King Saul, the first king of Israel, and the Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the inclusion of the Ardites in the biblical record highlights the comprehensive nature of God's covenant with Israel. Each clan and family, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, is part of the larger narrative of God's chosen people. The meticulous recording of genealogies in Scripture reflects the value placed on heritage and identity within the covenant community.

Furthermore, the Ardites' connection to the tribe of Benjamin serves as a reminder of God's providence and sovereignty in the unfolding of Israel's history. Despite the tribe's challenges and conflicts, including a near-destruction in the events recorded in Judges 20, Benjamin's legacy continued, contributing to the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Conclusion:

While the Ardites are not extensively detailed in the biblical narrative, their mention in the genealogical records of Numbers underscores the importance of every clan within the tribes of Israel. As descendants of Benjamin, the Ardites are part of the rich tapestry of Israel's history, illustrating the enduring significance of family and tribal identity in the biblical worldview.Ardites

the descendants of Ard or Addar, the grandson of Benjamin. (Numbers 26:40)

ARDITES

ar'-dits: Patronymic of ARD, which see.

716. Ardi -- a descendant of Ard
... Ardi. 717 . a descendant of Ard. Transliteration: Ardi Phonetic Spelling:
(ar-dee) Short Definition: Ardites. ... of Ard NASB Word Usage Ardites (1). Ardites. ...
/hebrew/716.htm - 6kArdites (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ARDITES. ar'-dits: Patronymic of ARD, which
see. Multi-Version Concordance Ardites (1 Occurrence). ...
/a/ardites.htm - 6k

Ardite (1 Occurrence)
... Ardite (1 Occurrence). Numbers 26:40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard,
the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. ...
/a/ardite.htm - 6k

Ard'ites (1 Occurrence)
... Ardites, Ard'ites. Ardon . ... Numbers 26:40 And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman;
of Ard, the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. ...
/a/ard'ites.htm - 6k

Naamite (1 Occurrence)
... Naamite (1 Occurrence). Numbers 26:40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard,
the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. ...
/n/naamite.htm - 7k

Naaman (19 Occurrences)
... Numbers 26:40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of
the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. (WEB ...
/n/naaman.htm - 15k

Na'aman (15 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Numbers 26:40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family
of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. (See RSV). ...
/n/na'aman.htm - 10k

Na'amites (1 Occurrence)
... Na'amites (1 Occurrence). Numbers 26:40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of
Ard, the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. ...
/n/na'amites.htm - 6k

Naamites (1 Occurrence)
... Naamites (1 Occurrence). Numbers 26:40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of
Ard, the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. ...
/n/naamites.htm - 6k

Bela (14 Occurrences)
... Numbers 26:40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of
the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. (WEB ...
/b/bela.htm - 13k

Ard (2 Occurrences)
... Numbers 26:40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of
the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. (WEB ...
/a/ard.htm - 8k

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