יְעִיאֵל
Jeiel, the name of six Israelites
Definition
יְעִיאֵל (Yᵉʻîyʼêl) is a proper name meaning 'carried away of God' or 'God sweeps away.' It belongs to six different individuals in the Old Testament. The most prominent is Jeiel, a Reubenite chief (1 Chronicles 5:7). Another is a Levite musician and gatekeeper in the time of David (1 Chronicles 15:18, 21; 16:5). A third Jeiel is recorded as a scribe for King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:11). The name also appears in genealogical lists, such as the ancestor of King Saul (1 Chronicles 9:35) and a mighty warrior in David's army (1 Chronicles 11:44).
Biblical Usage
The name is used exclusively for male individuals in historical and genealogical contexts within the books of Chronicles. It appears 12 times, primarily in 1 Chronicles (9 times) and 2 Chronicles (3 times). The usage patterns show it applied to leaders from different tribes (Reuben, Benjamin, Levi) and roles, including chiefs, musicians, scribes, and warriors. Specific examples include Jeiel the Reubenite chief (1 Chronicles 5:7), Jeiel the Levite musician (1 Chronicles 15:18), and Jeiel the royal scribe (2 Chronicles 26:11).
Etymology
The name יְעִיאֵל is a compound of two Hebrew elements. It derives from the root יָעָה (yāʻâ, H3261), meaning 'to sweep away' or 'to carry off,' and אֵל (ʼēl, H410), the common word for 'God.' Thus, the name literally means 'carried away of God' or 'God sweeps away.' It is a theophoric name, incorporating the divine name El. A variant form, יְעוּאֵל (Yᵉʻûʼêl, H3262), appears in Ezra 8:13.
Semantic Range
As a theophoric name meaning 'carried away of God,' יְעִיאֵל reflects a theological perspective on divine action and human identity. It suggests a life under God's sovereign movement or protection. While not a central doctrinal term, its use for individuals in diverse roles—from worship leaders to royal officials—subtly underscores that various forms of service and leadership are understood as being directed or enabled by God. Understanding its etymology enriches reading by highlighting how personal names in Scripture often served as declarations of faith or reminders of God's character.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were significant and often descriptive. A name like יְעִיאֵל, which explicitly references God's action, likely expressed the parents' hope, a circumstance of birth, or an attribute they wished for their child. The fact that multiple individuals bore this name across different tribes and eras indicates it was a recognized and meaningful formulation. Its meaning, 'carried away of God,' could be interpreted positively (as under divine protection or guidance) or as a sober reminder of God's sovereign power to remove.
יְעוּאֵל (Yᵉʻûʼêl, H3262) — A variant spelling of the same name, found in Ezra 8:13.
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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