יִגְאָל
𐤉𐤂𐤀𐤋
Yigeal
H3008 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Masculine personal name meaning 'may he redeem' or 'he redeems.' Used as a proper name for several individuals in the Hebrew Bible, referencing the action or hope of redemption, typically with YHWH as implied subject. The semantic range encompasses use as a personal name based on the root's action (to redeem), without the full verbal sense being active in the name itself.
Semantic Range
he will redeem, may he redeem (theophoric personal name); proper name; (rare) agent of redemption or avenger in personal or familial sense
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root גָּאַל (g-ʼ-l), meaning 'to redeem' or 'act as kinsman-redeemer.' The name יִגְאָל (Yigʼâl) is in the imperfect (yiqtol) verb form, meaning 'he will redeem' or 'may he redeem.' In the biblical context, such theophoric names often carry the sense of invocation or hope that YHWH will act as a redeemer.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יִגְאָל appears as the name of multiple individuals in the Hebrew Bible, including one from the tribe of Issachar (Num 13:7), one from David's warriors (2 Sam 23:36), and one among the descendants returning from exile (Neh 12:7). The name is constructed from a verb form indicating future or jussive action. In historical context, the role of a 'redeemer' (goel) often involved legal and familial responsibilities, such as reclaiming property or avenging wrongs, but as a personal name, יִגְאָל functions as an expression of hope or affirmation regarding redemption—usually attributing the action implicitly to YHWH, though not naming him directly. English translations sometimes render the name as 'Igal' or 'Igeal.' Later tradition or English versions may use 'avenger' as a connotation, but the name itself is not a title or description, rather a wish or statement of redemption.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from גָּאַל; avenger; Jigal, the name of three Israelites; Igal, Igeal.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
גאל (g-ʾ-l) — to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, reclaim rights
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1350 | גָּאַל | I will act as kinsman-redeemer |
| H1351 | גָּאַל | I have defiled |
| H1352 | גֹּאֶל | kinsman-redeemers of |
| H1353 | גְּאֻלָּה | kin-based redemption |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3008-02 |
יִגְאָ֖ל | yigeal | HNp |
Igal | he will act as kinsman-redeemer | 2 |
H3008-01 |
וְ֠/יִגְאָל | veyigeal | HC/Np |
and Igal | and May-He-Redeem | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3008-02 |
Numbers 13:7 | יִגְאָ֖ל | yigeal | HNp |
Igal | he will act as kinsman-redeemer |
H3008-02 |
2 Samuel 23:36 | יִגְאָ֤ל | yigeal | HNp |
Igal | he will act as kinsman-redeemer |
H3008-01 |
1 Chronicles 3:22 | וְ֠/יִגְאָל | veyigeal | HC/Np |
and Igal | and May-He-Redeem |