יְהוּכַל
𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤊𐤋
Yehukhal
H3081 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Yehūkal: a personal name meaning 'YHWH is able' or 'YHWH is capable.' The name expresses trust or attribution of capability to YHWH, likely reflecting theophoric naming conventions in the Israelite tradition. It is attested as the name of an official in the court of King Zedekiah of Judah (Jeremiah 37:3; 38:1).
Semantic Range
personal name ('YHWH is able'); conveys idea of divine capability or enablement via the theophoric element; name of a Judahite official in late First Temple period
Root / Etymology
Derived from the verbal root יכל ('to be able, to prevail, to overcome') and prefixed with the theophoric element יהו (Yahu-, representing YHWH). The name structurally means 'YHWH is able/capable.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
יְהוּכַל appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of a royal official sent as an emissary to the prophet Jeremiah in the late First Temple period (early 6th century BCE). The use of the theophoric element יהו- was common in Judahite personal names during this period, signifying religious and cultural identity linked to the God of Israel. The name is parallel in formation to others like יְהוֹיָכִין (Jehoiachin). Standard English translations often render the name as 'Jehucal' or 'Jehukal,' though these forms do not fully capture its meaning; neither do they address the distinct theophoric element. The presence of the same root יכל in יוּכַל (Yukal) is noted in Jeremiah, possibly a variant or abbreviation of the same name or a related form. The biblical texts do not ascribe ethnic identities beyond his position as a royal official of the kingdom of Judah, and in context he is a member of the Judahite elite.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יָכֹל; potent; Jehukal, an Israelite; Jehucal. Compare יוּכַל.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יכל (y-k-l) — to be able, to prevail, to have power
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1964 | הֵיכָל | in the grand sanctuary-hall |
| H1965 | הֵיכַל | in the grand palace-temple |
| H3116 | יוּכַל | and Yukal |
| H3201 | יָכֹל | shall I be able |
| H3202 | יְכֵל | he was able |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3081-01 |
יְהוּכַ֣ל | yehukhal | HNp |
Jehucal | YHWH is able | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3081-01 |
Jeremiah 37:3 | יְהוּכַ֣ל | yehukhal | HNp |
Jehucal | YHWH is able |