עַמִּיאֵל
Ammiel, the name of three or four Israelites
Definition
Ammiel is a Hebrew proper name meaning 'people of God' or 'God is my kinsman.' It is borne by four distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The first is Ammiel, son of Gemalli, the Danite spy sent into Canaan (Numbers 13:12). The second is the father of Machir of Lo-debar, who protected Mephibosheth and later aided David (2 Samuel 9:4-5; 2 Samuel 17:27). The third is the father of Bathsheba, though his name appears as Eliam in 2 Samuel 11:3 (1 Chronicles 3:5 lists him as Ammiel). The fourth is a gatekeeper in the time of David (1 Chronicles 26:5).
Biblical Usage
The name Ammiel is used exclusively for individuals in narrative and genealogical contexts. It appears in the books of Numbers, 2 Samuel, and 1 Chronicles. The usage shows no particular pattern regarding tribe or role, as it is given to a spy from Dan, a Gileadite benefactor, the father of a queen, and a Levitical gatekeeper. The key references are Numbers 13:12, 2 Samuel 9:4-5, and 1 Chronicles 3:5.
Etymology
The name עַמִּיאֵל (ʻAmmîyʼêl) is a compound of two Hebrew elements: עַם (ʻam, H5971), meaning 'people' or 'kinsman,' and אֵל (ʼêl, H410), the common word for 'God.' It is a theophoric name, a common practice in Israel, signifying a relationship with the divine. The construction can be understood as 'people of God' or 'God is my kinsman,' expressing identity and covenant connection.
Semantic Range
As a theophoric name meaning 'people of God,' Ammiel embodies a core identity of Israel. It serves as a personal reminder of the covenant relationship between Yahweh and His chosen nation. Understanding this name enriches reading by highlighting how individuals' identities were intertwined with their theological heritage, even for figures with minor roles in the biblical narrative.
In ancient Israel, names were deeply significant, often describing character, destiny, or a family's relationship with God. A name like Ammiel, declaring 'people of God,' would have been a public profession of faith and identity within the covenant community. It reflects the cultural practice of using the divine element 'El' in personal names.
Eliam (ʼEliyʻam, H463) — A variant or alternate form of the same name, also meaning 'God of the people' or 'my God is kinsman,' borne by Bathsheba's father (2 Samuel 11:3).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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