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יָעֵל

𐤉𐤏𐤋

Yael

H3278 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יעל to ascend, be agile, climb

Definition

A personal name: Yaʻel, most notably the Kenite woman who appears in the account of Judges 4–5 and is celebrated for her role in the defeat of Sisera. The name is linguistically identical to the noun meaning 'mountain goat' or 'ibex,' and may carry connotations such as 'agile,' 'sure-footed,' or 'strong.'

Semantic Range

personal name (female), ibex, mountain goat; possible associated qualities such as agility or sure-footedness

Root / Etymology

The name derives from the noun יָעֵל (yaʻel), meaning 'ibex' or 'mountain goat.' The root is likely יעל, with the core nominal sense related to wild goats or ibexes noted for their agility and sure-footedness.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Yaʻel is a feminine personal name found chiefly in the period of the Judges, where she is described as the wife of Heber the Kenite in Judges 4–5. The choice of such an animal-based name reflects an ancient regional tradition of naming individuals after wild or admired animals, possibly invoking attributes such as agility, grace, or strength. In post-biblical and modern usage, Yaʻel/Yael has persisted as a feminine Hebrew given name. In contrast to later English translations rendering the name as 'Jael,' the vocalization in the Masoretic tradition supports Yaʻel. The associated noun (ibex) appears in poetic and zoological biblical contexts, but in the personal name, it likely functions symbolically. Standard translations often transliterate the name rather than translating its underlying animal meaning.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

the same as יָעֵל; Jael, a Canaanite; Jael.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יעל (y-ʿ-l) — ascend, climb, be agile

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3132 יוֹעֵאלָה and Joelah
H3276 יַעַל he brought benefit
H3277 יָעֵל the mountain ibexes
H3279 יַעֲלָא Wild-Goat
H3280 יַעֲלָה and female ibex of

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3278-01 יָעֵ֔ל yael HNp Jael Ibex 6

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3278-01 Judges 4:17 יָעֵ֔ל yael HNp Jael Ibex
H3278-01 Judges 4:18 יָעֵל֮ yael HNp Jael Ibex
H3278-01 Judges 4:21 יָעֵ֣ל yael HNp Jael Ibex
H3278-01 Judges 4:22 יָעֵל֙ yael HNp Jael Ibex
H3278-01 Judges 5:6 יָעֵ֔ל yael HNp Jael Ibex
H3278-01 Judges 5:24 יָעֵ֕ל yael HNp Jael Ibex
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