יְזַוְאֵל
𐤉𐤆𐤅𐤀𐤋
Yezaveel
H3149 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name borne by a figure in the genealogical lists of the tribe of Benjamin. The meaning is uncertain but has been traditionally explained as 'El apportions' or possibly 'God apportions/sprinkles.' The term functions exclusively as a proper noun for an individual and does not appear outside these contexts. The presumed semantic nuance derives from root associations with 'to divide' or 'to apportion,' but the precise etymology is unclear.
Semantic Range
personal name (Benjaminite clan), possible sense of 'El apportions,' possible archaic sense related to 'distribute' or 'sprinkle,' limited solely to proper noun usage
Root / Etymology
The name יְזַוְאֵל appears to be a theophoric compound, consisting of a root (possibly זוה, "to sprinkle" or a byform of זו, "to apportion") and the divine name אֵל (El). The root is not attested elsewhere in Biblical Hebrew, leading to uncertainty in its exact formation and meaning. Some have drawn comparison to Aramaic and Ugaritic roots with meanings such as 'to apportion' or 'to distribute.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
This name occurs in 1 Chronicles 24:25 in the genealogical listing of Benjaminite families. The form's obscurity and the lack of supporting evidence for the suggested root mean that its precise meaning has long been debated. English versions sometimes render it as 'Jeziel' or similar variants. The presence of the theophoric element אֵל ('El') is clear, marking it as a typical personal name structure in Israelite onomastics. The usual translation in older English Bibles as 'Jezavel' has led to some confusion with the unrelated female name יִזֶבֶל (Jezebel). There is no evidence for an active meaning in the Hebrew Bible beyond its function as a name. No known usage of this word denotes a group or concept outside this genealogical occurrence.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root (meaning to sprinkle) and אֵל; sprinkled of God; Jezavel, an Israelite; Jeziel (from the margin).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
זוה/זו + אל (z-w-h / z-w + ʾēl) — apportioning, sprinkling, assigning + El (God)
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3149-01 |
וִ/יזִיאֵ֥ל | viziel | HC/Np |
and Pelet | El apportions | 1 |
H3149-02 |
ו/יזואל | vyzvl | HC/Np |
and Jeziel | and El-apportions | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3149-02 |
1 Chronicles 12:3 | ו/יזואל | vyzvl | HC/Np |
and Jeziel | and El-apportions |
H3149-01 |
1 Chronicles 12:3 | וִ/יזִיאֵ֥ל | viziel | HC/Np |
and Pelet | El apportions |