יַחְצְאֵל
𐤉𐤇𐤑𐤀𐤋
Yachetseel
H3183 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name meaning 'El divides' or 'El apportions.' In biblical context, it is the name of a descendant of Jacob through Naphtali, and by extension, his descendants or clan. The name reflects the idea of deity (El) apportioning or distributing portions, possibly in reference to inheritance, land, or blessing. Unlike a common noun, this term uniquely designates an individual or family group among Israelites.
Semantic Range
personal name; reference to a patriarchal figure; representative of a descendant or clan among the Israelites; interpretation as 'El divides' or 'God apportions' (primarily as a proper noun)
Root / Etymology
From the root חָצָה (to divide, to apportion) combined with אֵל (El, God). The construction יַחְצְאֵל consists of the imperfect prefix form of the verb 'to divide' and the theophoric element El, yielding 'El (God) divides/apportions.' The name is included among the list of descendants (Numbers 26:26).
Historical & Contextual Notes
This name appears in genealogical lists identifying clan or family groupings among the Israelites, specifically as a descendant of Naphtali (Genesis 46:24, Numbers 26:26). It is distinct from the related form יַחְצִיאֵל (Yachtzi’el), which shares a similar structure and meaning. English translations often render it as Jahzeel, but this represents a transliteration tradition developed in later biblical translations. There is no direct evidence that this name had a significance beyond identification of clan lineage and divine allocation; its use is strictly within lists and narratives describing the patriarchal and national structure of early Israel. The theophoric naming convention—using 'El'—was typical for the period and context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from חָצָהlemma חָעָה ayin, corrected to חָצָה and אֵל; God will allot; Jachtseel, an Israelite; Jahzeel. Compare יַחְצִיאֵל.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חצה (ḥ-ṣ-h) — to divide, to apportion, to distribute
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2673 | חָצָה | he divided |
| H2676 | חָצוֹת | night-division |
| H2677 | חֵצִי | in the half of |
| H2679 | חֲצִי הַמְּנֻחוֹת | half of |
| H2680 | חֲצִי הַמְּנַחְתִּי | half-Manahethite |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3183-01 |
לְ/יַ֨חְצְאֵ֔ל | leyachetseel | HR/Np |
of Jahzeel | to El-divides | 1 |
H3183-02 |
יַחְצְאֵ֥ל | yachetseel | HNp |
Jahzeel | El Divides | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3183-02 |
Genesis 46:24 | יַחְצְאֵ֥ל | yachetseel | HNp |
Jahzeel | El Divides |
H3183-01 |
Numbers 26:48 | לְ/יַ֨חְצְאֵ֔ל | leyachetseel | HR/Np |
of Jahzeel | to El-divides |