Boy Old Testament Rare
Areli
the light or vision of God
אַרְאֵלִי ar.e.li
Areli (Hebrew: אַרְאֵלִי, ar.e.li) means “the light or vision of God”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 2 verses across 2 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 185 children in the United States. Use is rising. Around 6,739 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Arod in Genesis 46.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Areli
son of Gad
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 2 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 185 | Rising |
| All-time total | 6,739 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 330 in 2008 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 46:16 |
| Last appears | Numbers 26:17 |
| Cross-references | 17 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Ziphion attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Gad.
- Arod attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Gad.
- Eri attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Gad.
- Ezbon attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Gad.
- Shuni attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Gad.
- Haggi attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Gad.
- Arod co-occurrence Appears with Arod in Genesis 46.
- Ziphion co-occurrence Appears with Ziphion in Genesis 46.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Gad living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.16;
son of: Gad (H1410);
brother of: Ziphion (H6837), Haggi (H2291), Shuni (H7764), Ezbon (H0675), Eri (H6179) and Arod (H0720)
§ Areli = "lion of God"
1) a son of Gad
2) those of the family of Areli (pater adj-Arelites)
Areli, a son of Gad, is mentioned in the genealogy of Jacob and the census of the Israelites in the wilderness.
The biblical story
Areli is mentioned in the Old Testament as one of the sons of Gad, who was one of the twelve sons of Israel (or 'Jacob'). In Gen.46.16, Areli is listed among the descendants of Jacob who went down to Egypt during the time of famine. This genealogical record emphasizes the growth of the Israelite clan and the fulfillment of God's promise to make them a great nation.
Areli is also mentioned in the book of Numbers, during the census of the Israelites taken in the wilderness of Moab, near the end of their forty years of wandering. In Num.26.17, the descendants of Areli are listed as a clan within the tribe of Gad. This census was taken to determine the military strength of each tribe and to prepare for the allocation of the Promised Land among the tribes.
Apart from these mentions in the genealogical records and census, no further details about Areli's life or his descendants are provided in the biblical text. His inclusion in these lists highlights the continuity of the Israelite tribes and their growth as a nation, in fulfillment of God's promises to their forefathers.
Key verses
Areli appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And the sons of Gad; Ziphion, and Haggi, Shuni, and Ezbon, Eri, and Arodi, and Areli.
Genesis 46:16 -
Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
Numbers 26:17
Show all 2 references
Genesis (1)
- Genesis 46:16
Numbers (1)
- Numbers 26:17