מְתוּשָׁאֵל
𐤌𐤕𐤅𐤔𐤀𐤋
Metushael
H4967 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name belonging to a male descendant of Qayin (Cain) in the antediluvian genealogies (Genesis 4:18). Commonly interpreted as a theophoric name possibly meaning 'man of God' or 'gift/man from God', though the precise etymology and meaning are uncertain. The name functions as an identifier in genealogical lists and does not denote a role or attribute beyond lineage.
Semantic Range
personal name; possibly 'man of God,' 'man from God,' 'gift/man who is of God'; only as an anthroponym; genealogical designation
Root / Etymology
Derived from the probable roots מַת (mat, 'man') and אֵל (El, 'God'), with the infixed relative; the structure and connection between elements are debated, and the name's full etymology is uncertain. The second element is the common theophoric element 'El', while the exact function of מְתוּ ('Methu') is not definitively established.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מְתוּשָׁאֵל (Methushael) appears exclusively in Genesis 4:18, in the line of Qayin, distinct from מְתוּשֶׁלַח (Methuselah) in the line of Shet (Seth) in Genesis 5. The two names are sometimes confused due to their similar form and patriarchal context, but they are separate individuals with distinct genealogical backgrounds. Theophoric names incorporating 'El' are common in early biblical traditions, often indicating some relationship to the deity (whether as possession, dedication, or association), but the precise nuance here is unclear. Later translation traditions, including the Septuagint, render the name without interpretive gloss. The term does not bear theological significance in biblical narrative, serving solely as a personal/genealogical identifier, and standard English translations merely transliterate the name. The term cannot be equated directly with later Judean or Israelite identity categories, as the narrative pertains to pre-diluvian traditions.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מַת and אֵל, with the relative interposed; man who (is) of God; Methusael, an antediluvian patriarch; Methusael.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מתא-אל (m-t-ʾ-l) — man, person, El (God)
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4967-02 |
וּ/מְתוּשָׁאֵ֖ל | umetushael | HC/Np |
and Methushael | and Man-of-El | 1 |
H4967-01 |
מְת֣וּשָׁאֵ֔ל | metushael | HNp |
Methushael | Man-of-El | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4967-01 |
Genesis 4:18 | מְת֣וּשָׁאֵ֔ל | metushael | HNp |
Methushael | Man-of-El |
H4967-02 |
Genesis 4:18 | וּ/מְתוּשָׁאֵ֖ל | umetushael | HC/Np |
and Methushael | and Man-of-El |