פּוּטִיאֵל
Putiel, an Israelite
Definition
Putiel is a proper name of an Israelite man mentioned only once in the Old Testament. He is identified as the father-in-law of Eleazar, the son of Aaron (Exodus 6:25). The name itself is a compound, likely meaning 'contempt of God' or 'afflicted of God,' derived from its proposed etymological roots. As a personal name, it does not carry multiple senses but serves to establish a specific familial lineage within the priestly line of Aaron.
Biblical Usage
This name is used only in Exodus 6:25, within a genealogical list detailing the descendants of Aaron. Its sole purpose is to identify Eleazar's wife as 'one of the daughters of Putiel.' This establishes a connection for Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, whose mother came from this lineage. There are no other usages or patterns in the biblical text.
Etymology
The name Putiel (פּוּטִיאֵל) is a compound of two elements. The first part is of uncertain origin but is thought to come from an unused root meaning 'to be contemptible' or 'to be afflicted.' The second part is the divine name אֵל (ʼÊl, H410), meaning 'God.' Thus, the name is commonly interpreted as 'contempt of God' or 'afflicted of God,' a type of name that may reflect circumstances of birth or divine discipline.
Semantic Range
While the individual Putiel is not a major figure, his inclusion in the genealogy of Aaron's priestly line (Exodus 6:25) is theologically significant. It demonstrates that God's chosen priestly lineage was not isolated but connected to other Israelite families. The potentially negative meaning of his name ('contempt of God') serves as a reminder that God works through imperfect human families and histories to fulfill His redemptive purposes, highlighting His sovereignty and grace.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried significant meaning, sometimes reflecting circumstances, hopes, or even perceived divine actions surrounding a child's birth. A name like Putiel, which may imply 'contempt of God,' might seem startling to modern readers. However, such names were not necessarily a permanent judgment on the individual but could commemorate a specific event or parental sentiment. Its preservation in a priestly genealogy shows that lineage and family connections were of paramount importance for establishing identity and social role.
No direct synonyms exist as this is a unique proper name. However, other compound names with the element אֵל (ʼÊl, H410) include: נְתַנְאֵל (Nᵉthanʼêl, H5417) — 'given of God'; יִשְׁמָעֵאל (Yishmâʻêʼl, H3458) — 'God hears'.
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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