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יָבָל

𐤉𐤁𐤋

Yaval

H2989 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יבל to flow, bring, lead, carry

Definition

Proper name designating an early descendant of Adam, specifically a son of Lamech and Adah mentioned in the genealogical record of Genesis 4. The primary meaning is that of a personal name; there is no non-nominal usage in the Hebrew Bible. The word's semantic range is limited to its occurrence as a name, but the form is identically spelled to a verb/root meaning 'to flow' or 'to bring, lead,' which may denote derivational or symbolic nuances in naming.

Semantic Range

proper name (Jabal), possible allusion to 'one who brings/leads/flows'

Root / Etymology

From the root יבל (y-b-l), meaning 'to flow,' 'bring,' or 'lead.' In this nominal form, the term is used as a personal name, possibly signifying 'stream,' 'channel,' or figuratively one who brings forth or leads, though no explicit etymological explanation is provided within the text. The root itself gives rise to various words relating to streams, rivers, and the activity of leading/carrying. The connection between the name and the root meaning is presumed but not expounded in the text.

Historical & Contextual Notes

יָבָל appears only in Genesis 4:20 as the name of an individual, Jabal, described as 'the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock,' indicating a pioneering role in pastoral nomadism among humans in the early genealogical narratives. There is no evidence the name was used outside this early genealogical context in the Hebrew Bible. English translations regularly render יָבָל as 'Jabal,' following the transliteration, but some tradition connects the name to themes of flowing, leading, or carrying, possibly reflecting cultural associations with pastoral life. Care must be taken not to conflate this figure with later Israelite, Judahite, or Judean identities, as he is depicted as an antediluvian, pre-flood patriarch outside the historical Israelite narrative proper. No later or post-biblical development of the name occurs in biblical literature. The form is identical with the noun יָבָל ('stream') and the verb יָבַל ('to bring, lead'), but these are not contextually related to this personal name beyond their shared root.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as יָבָל; Jabal, an antediluvian; Jabal.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יבל (y-b-l) — to flow, bring, lead, carry

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H180 אוּבָל the water-bearing stream
H2981 יְבוּל and her yield
H2986 יָבַל I will conduct them
H2987 יְבַל and to cause to bring
H2988 יָבָל streams of

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H2989-01 יָבָ֑ל yaval HNp Jabal Flow-Bringer Yaval 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H2989-01 Genesis 4:20 יָבָ֑ל yaval HNp Jabal Flow-Bringer Yaval
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