יְרִיאֵל

Jeriel, an Israelite

Definition

Yᵉrîyʼêl (Jeriel) is a proper name meaning 'thrown of God' or 'cast by God.' It is the name of a single individual mentioned in the Old Testament, an Israelite from the tribe of Issachar (1 Chronicles 7:2). As a compound name, it combines divine action (from God) with the divine name (El), signifying God's sovereign agency. No other meanings or biblical senses are attested for this specific name.

Biblical Usage

This name appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, in a genealogical list within 1 Chronicles 7:2. The context is purely genealogical, listing the sons of Tola as warriors and heads of their families during the time of King David. There are no patterns of usage beyond this single, historical record.

Etymology

The name derives from the Hebrew root יָרָה (yârâ, H3384), meaning 'to throw, shoot, cast,' and אֵל (ʼêl, H410), the common noun for 'God.' It is a theophoric name (containing God's name) that poetically describes one who is established or directed by God's action. It is compared to the similar name Yᵉrûwʼêl (H3385), meaning 'founded by God.'

Semantic Range

While the name itself is not central to major doctrines, it exemplifies a common biblical pattern of theophoric names that acknowledge God's sovereignty and active role in human lives. Understanding its etymology ('thrown of God') can enrich a reader's appreciation for how ancient Israelites embedded their theology and experience of divine providence into personal identity, even in genealogical records.

In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried significant meaning, describing character, destiny, or divine action. A name like Jeriel, borne by a clan head and warrior, may have been intended to signify that the individual or family line was established and directed by God's power, a concept of importance in tribal and military contexts.

Yᵉrûwʼêl (H3385) — A similar proper name meaning 'founded by God,' also used for an individual in 1 Chronicles.

Word Details

Scripture References