Who was Deuel in the Bible?

Deuel, also called Reuel, was the father of Eliasaph. His son served as the leader of the tribe of Gad during the Israelites' journey in the wilderness (Numbers 1:14, 2:14).

Why is Deuel mentioned in the book of Numbers?

Deuel is mentioned because his lineage established leadership. His son, Eliasaph, represented the tribe of Gad in military censuses and brought offerings for the dedication of the altar (Numbers 7:42, 47).

Was Deuel also called Reuel?

Yes, in some passages he is called Reuel. This variation in names is likely due to differences in ancient manuscript traditions or scribal copying, but both refer to the father of Eliasaph (Numbers 2:14 vs. Numbers 1:14, 7:42).

Deuel

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleLeaderFather

Deuel, also called Reuel, was the father of Eliasaph, who was the leader of the tribe of Gad during the wilderness journey. (Num.1.14; 7.42,47; 10.20; 2.14)

Deuel

Biography

Deuel, also rendered as Reuel in Numbers 2:14, was an Israelite who lived during the wilderness period following the Exodus from Egypt. He is identified as the father of Eliasaph, the appointed leader and prince of the tribe of Gad. Deuel appears in the census records of Numbers 1:14, where tribal leaders were counted at Sinai, and his son Eliasaph is noted as presenting the offering for Gad during the dedication of the tabernacle (Numbers 7:42-47). The tribe of Gad was positioned on the south side of the tabernacle in the wilderness encampment (Numbers 2:14), and Eliasaph led them in the order of march (Numbers 10:20). Deuel thus stands as a patriarchal figure of tribal authority in the formative years of Israel's national identity.

Significance

Though Deuel himself receives only brief mention in the biblical record, his significance lies in the office held by his son Eliasaph. The careful enumeration of tribal leaders in Numbers underscores God's orderly governance of Israel, each tribe represented, counted, and led with divine intentionality. Deuel's lineage was entrusted with responsibility for one of the twelve tribes at a defining moment in redemptive history. His family's place in the Mosaic community reminds readers that God's covenant purposes extend through ordinary family lines, and that faithful, unnamed figures often provide the foundation upon which more visible leaders are built.

Authority Records

Wikidata

ChildEliasaph

Verse Appearances (5)

Numbers

Numbers 1:14 Numbers 2:14 Numbers 7:42 Numbers 7:47 Numbers 10:20

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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