יַחְצְאֵלִי

𐤉𐤇𐤑𐤀𐤋𐤉

Yachetseeli

H3184 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חצל uncertain; possibly to divide, be divided

Definition

Member or descendant of the clan or lineage of יַחְצְאֵל (Jahzeel), one of the sons of Naphtali; denotes an individual belonging to this familial group or, collectively, the group itself. The term is primarily a genealogical designation within tribal lists, identifying a distinct subgroup within the tribe of Naphtali.

Semantic Range

member of the Jahzeel clan, descendant of Jahzeel, Jahzeelite, familial subgroup within Naphtali

Root / Etymology

The term derives from the personal name יַחְצְאֵל (Jahzeel), formed by adding the gentilic suffix -ִי (i), which denotes affiliation or descent. The root of the name יַחְצְאֵל is uncertain, but it is likely built on ח-צ-ל or ח-צ-א, roots with unclear or debated meaning, as the personal name's etymology is not certain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The designation יַחְצְאֵלִי appears in genealogical lists (e.g., Numbers 26:26), denoting the descendants of Jahzeel, a son of Naphtali (Genesis 46:24). These clan names reflect the structure of Israelite tribal society during the Late Bronze and Iron Ages, where tribes were subdivided into smaller kinship groups or clans, often headed by an eponymous ancestor. In English Bibles, 'Jahzeelite(s)' or 'descendant(s) of Jahzeel' is sometimes rendered as 'Jahzeelites' or, less precisely, absorbed into broader lists of Naphtali's lineage. This term is specific to genealogical, census, and territorial contexts and does not denote any religious, geographic, or political identity beyond clan affiliation. Later periods do not attest to continued use of the term beyond the biblical genealogical context; thus, the term's significance is confined to the organization of the Israelite tribal system in these early lists.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

patronymically from יַחְצְאֵל; a Jachtseelite (collectively) or descendants of Jachtseel; Jahzeelites.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חצל (ḥ-ṣ-l) — uncertain; possibly divide, be divided

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3184-01 הַ/יַּחְצְאֵלִ֑י hayachetseeli HTd/Ngmsa of the Jahzeelites the Jahzeelite 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3184-01 Numbers 26:48 הַ/יַּחְצְאֵלִ֑י hayachetseeli HTd/Ngmsa of the Jahzeelites the Jahzeelite