יָעֵל
𐤉𐤏𐤋
yâʻêl
H3277 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A species of wild mountain goat (ibex) distinguished by its agility and ability to climb steep, rocky terrain. In biblical usage, denotes the wild goat native to the rocky regions of the Levant, known for nimble movement and elusive nature. May refer in general to wild goats or specifically to the Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) in the southern Levant.
Semantic Range
wild goat, ibex, mountain goat; figurative reference to agility or inhabiting inaccessible places
Root / Etymology
From the root יעל, meaning 'to profit, be useful, be advantageous, climb,' possibly referencing the animal's climbing ability.
Historical & Contextual Notes
יָעֵל occurs infrequently in biblical texts, most notably in poetic and wisdom literature (e.g., Psalm 104:18; Job 39:1). The term refers to the wild goat or ibex, an animal adapted to the rocky cliffs and mountainous regions of ancient Israelite territory. The choice of this term over related words such as אַיָּל ('stag', 'deer') emphasizes agility on rocks and sheer slopes rather than speed in open terrain. Later translations, including the Septuagint and Vulgate, often use generic terms for wild goats, and some traditional English versions render it as 'wild goat.' In post-biblical usage and Modern Hebrew, יעל designates specifically the ibex. The animal was known for its horned appearance and ability to inhabit places inaccessible to domesticated species, carrying connotations of wildness and freedom in biblical poetry. There are no theological or symbolic associations intrinsic to the term in biblical usage, although later interpretation sometimes saw symbolic import in its characteristics.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from יַעַל; an ibex (as climbing); wild goat.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יעל (y-ʿ-l) — to ascend, to climb, to be useful, to benefit
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3132 | יוֹעֵאלָה | and Joelah |
| H3276 | יַעַל | he brought benefit |
| H3278 | יָעֵל | Ibex |
| H3279 | יַעֲלָא | Wild-Goat |
| H3280 | יַעֲלָה | and female ibex of |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3277-02 |
לַ/יְּעֵלִ֑ים | layeelim | HRd/Ncmpa |
for the wild goats | to the ibexes | 1 |
H3277-01 |
הַ/יְּעֵלִֽים | hayeelim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the wild goats | the mountain ibexes | 1 |
H3277-03 |
יַעֲלֵי | yaaley | HNcmpc |
of mountain goats | wild mountain goats of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3277-01 |
1 Samuel 24:3 | הַ/יְּעֵלִֽים | hayeelim | HTd/Ncmpa |
the wild goats | the mountain ibexes |
H3277-02 |
Psalms 104:18 | לַ/יְּעֵלִ֑ים | layeelim | HRd/Ncmpa |
for the wild goats | to the ibexes |
H3277-03 |
Job 39:1 | יַעֲלֵי | yaaley | HNcmpc |
of mountain goats | wild mountain goats of |