The Arvadites are a group mentioned in the Bible as descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham, who was one of Noah's three sons. The genealogical listing of the Arvadites is found in the Table of Nations, a passage that outlines the descendants of Noah's sons and the nations that emerged from them. In Genesis 10:15-18 , it is recorded: "Canaan was the father of Sidon his firstborn, and of the Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites, Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites."

The Arvadites are specifically associated with the ancient city of Arvad, which is located on an island off the coast of present-day Syria. This city, known in modern times as Ruad, was a significant maritime and commercial center in antiquity. The strategic location of Arvad allowed its inhabitants to engage in extensive trade and cultural exchanges with neighboring regions, including the Phoenicians, with whom they shared linguistic and cultural ties.

In the context of biblical history, the Arvadites, like other Canaanite tribes, were part of the broader Canaanite civilization that occupied the land of Canaan before the arrival of the Israelites. The Canaanites, including the Arvadites, were known for their polytheistic religious practices, which often stood in contrast to the monotheistic worship of Yahweh by the Israelites. This religious and cultural divergence frequently led to conflicts between the Israelites and the Canaanite tribes.

The prophet Ezekiel makes mention of Arvad in his lament over Tyre, highlighting the city's role in the maritime activities of the region. In Ezekiel 27:8 , it is written: "The men of Sidon and Arvad were your rowers. Your skilled men, O Tyre, were aboard as your helmsmen." This passage underscores the Arvadites' reputation as skilled seafarers and their contribution to the naval prowess of the Phoenician city of Tyre.

The historical and archaeological evidence suggests that the Arvadites, along with other Canaanite groups, experienced a decline in influence with the rise of the Israelite kingdom and the subsequent conquests by empires such as Assyria and Babylon. Despite this, the legacy of the Arvadites and their contributions to the ancient Near Eastern maritime culture remain a point of interest for biblical scholars and historians.

In summary, the Arvadites are recognized in the Bible as descendants of Canaan, associated with the ancient city of Arvad. Their maritime skills and cultural interactions with neighboring peoples are noted in biblical texts, reflecting their role in the broader Canaanite civilization.Genesis 10:18
And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.
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1 Chronicles 1:16
And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite.
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Ezekiel 27:8,11
The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were your mariners: your wise men, O Tyrus, that were in you, were your pilots.
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