RODANIM (rŏd'a-nĭm). A tribe descended from Javan, a son of Japheth (1Chr.1.7). Both here and in Gen.10.4, RSV has “Dodanim,” but the LXX gives “Rodanim” or “Rodians,” which rendering is supported by RSV “men of Rhodes” (Ezek.27.15), a reading followed by NIV. Ezekiel’s account of the trade by Dedan (kjv) would link the city with Rhodes. Records of trade between Rhodes and western Mediterranean ports date back to 700 b.c.
RODANIM rō’ də nĭm (some Heb. MSS:
רוֹדָנִֽים, LXX
̔Ρόδιοι). the MT has
Rōdanīm in
1 Chronicles 1:7, but
Dōdanĩm in
Genesis 10:4. Clearly the same ethnic group is in view, so that both spellings cannot be correct. Most scholars conclude from the fact that the Rodanim are included among the islanders of the Aegean area that “Rhodians” (inhabitants of the island of Rhodes) are meant. This can be explained, because the Heb. letters
r and
d resemble each other. Dodanim is the more difficult to explain. This does not mean it is less likely as the true reading. No plausible identification of Dodanim has been proposed.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
rod’-a-nim: The reading of Massoretic Text in 1Ch 1:7 for the DODANIM (which see) of Ge 10:4, corresponding to the Rhodioi of the Septuagint in both passages. The Rodanim are generally identified as inhabitants of the island of RHODES (which see), well known to the ancient Phoenicians (Homer’s Iliad).
