פְּתוּאֵל
Pethuel, an Israelite
Definition
Pethuel is a proper name meaning 'enlarged of God' or 'God's opening.' It appears only once in the Old Testament as the name of the father of the prophet Joel (Joel 1:1). As a personal name, it carries a theophoric element, incorporating the name of God ('El'), which was a common practice in Israelite culture to express devotion or a perceived characteristic. The name signifies a person who is blessed, expanded, or made prosperous by God. There are no other biblical contexts or differing meanings for this specific name.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in Joel 1:1 to identify the prophet Joel's father: 'The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.' Its usage is purely genealogical, serving to distinguish the prophet within the Israelite community. It follows the standard biblical pattern for introducing prophetic figures by their paternal lineage.
Etymology
The name Pethuel (פְּתוּאֵל) is derived from the Hebrew root פָּתָה (pāthâ, H6601), meaning 'to be open, simple, or entice,' combined with אֵל (ʼēl, H410), the generic term for 'God.' The construction suggests a passive participle form, yielding the sense of 'one opened or enlarged by God.' It reflects a common naming convention where divine action or blessing is ascribed to an individual.
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not central to major doctrines, its meaning—'enlarged of God'—reflects a theology of divine blessing and favor. As the father of a prophet, it subtly underscores that Joel's prophetic ministry originates from a lineage touched by God's grace. Understanding the name enriches the reading of Joel 1:1 by highlighting that even the prophet's familial identity points to God's active role in shaping and preparing His messengers.
In ancient Israel, names were often descriptive and carried significant meaning, reflecting hopes, circumstances, or divine attributes. A name like Pethuel, which incorporates 'El' (God), identifies the individual or family as worshippers of Yahweh. It differs from modern names, which are often chosen for sound or tradition rather than literal meaning.
There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. Other theophoric names with 'El' include: Israel (Yisra'el, H3478) — meaning 'he strives with God'; Samuel (Shemu'el, H8050) — meaning 'name of God' or 'God has heard'; and Joel (Yo'el, H3100) — meaning 'Yahweh is God.'
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.
Full methodology & sources →