יְחִיאֵל
𐤉𐤇𐤉𐤀𐤋
Yechiel
H3171 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name meaning 'El lives' or 'May El give life.' This name combines a verbal element related to life or living with a theophoric element referencing the deity El. Used across several Israelite genealogies and narratives to identify individuals, the name expresses a hope or declaration regarding divine vitality or blessing. In various contexts, the referent is a specific Israelite individual, whose identity is established by genealogical or tribal association.
Semantic Range
proper personal name; one whose God lives; may God grant life; individual Israelite in genealogies; distinctive Levitical or tribal identity
Root / Etymology
From the roots חיה ('to live, be alive') and אל ('El', a name for the deity in early Israelite religion). The verbal prefix may convey a causative or declarative sense (i.e., 'may [God] live/let live' or '[God] gives life'). The spelling variant יְחַוְאֵל (Yᵉchavʼêl) in some manuscripts reflects different vocalization but retains the same core elements.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name יְחִיאֵל is borne by several Israelites in diverse periods—appearing both in lists of Levitical singers or officials and among genealogical records, particularly in the post-exilic restoration lineage lists. The use of 'El' as the theophoric element is significant, as it reflects older Israelite naming traditions; later Yahwistic forms (with יה) became more common. The name is often rendered in English as 'Jehiel,' or, based on transliteration and standard KJV practice, as 'Jechiel.' The variant spelling יְחַוְאֵל occurs particularly in Chronicles. Standard English translations render it as a proper name and do not usually reflect the underlying meaning ('El will live'). In post-biblical periods, the rendering 'Jew' for bearers of such names is anachronistic; in the biblical witness, these are Israelite individuals positioned in tribal and familial networks.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (2 Chronicles 29:14) יְחַוְאֵל; from חָיָה and אֵל; God will live; Jechiel (or Jechavel), the name of eight Israelites; Jehiel.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
חיה, אל (ḥ-y-h; ʾ-l) — to live, be alive; deity (El)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H2419 | חִיאֵל | El Lives |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3171-01 |
וִ/יחִיאֵ֖ל | vichiel | HC/Np |
and Jehiel | and El-Lives | 9 |
H3171-03 |
יְחִיאֵ֑ל | yechiel | HNp |
Jehiel | El lives | 5 |
H3171-02 |
יחואל | ychvl | HNp |
Jehiel | El Lives | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
15 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3171-03 |
Ezra 8:9 | יְחִיאֵ֑ל | yechiel | HNp |
Jehiel | El lives |
H3171-03 |
Ezra 10:2 | יְחִיאֵ֜ל | yechiel | HNp |
Jehiel | El lives |
H3171-01 |
Ezra 10:21 | וִ/יחִיאֵ֖ל | vichiel | HC/Np |
and Jehiel | and El-Lives |
H3171-01 |
Ezra 10:26 | וִ/יחִיאֵ֣ל | vichiel | HC/Np |
and Jehiel | and El-Lives |
H3171-01 |
1 Chronicles 15:18 | וִ/יחִיאֵ֣ל | vichiel | HC/Np |
and Jehiel | and El-Lives |
H3171-01 |
1 Chronicles 15:20 | וִֽ/יחִיאֵל֙ | vichiel | HC/Np |
and Jehiel | and El-Lives |
H3171-01 |
1 Chronicles 16:5 | וִֽ/יחִיאֵ֡ל | vichiel | HC/Np |
Jehiel | and El-Lives |
H3171-03 |
1 Chronicles 23:8 | יְחִיאֵ֛ל | yechiel | HNp |
Jehiel | El lives |
H3171-01 |
1 Chronicles 27:32 | וִֽ/יחִיאֵ֥ל | vichiel | HC/Np |
Jehiel | and El-Lives |
H3171-03 |
1 Chronicles 29:8 | יְחִיאֵ֖ל | yechiel | HNp |
Jehiel | El lives |