יִפְתַּח־אֵל
𐤉𐤐𐤕𐤇־𐤀𐤋
Yifetach El
H3317 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Yiphtach-ʼêl is a proper noun designating a specific geographic location—likely a valley or area—in the northern region traditionally allotted to the tribe of Naphtali in the Hebrew Bible. The name means 'El (the god) opens' or 'God opens,' possibly referencing either a literal opening (such as a pass, valley, or breakthrough in terrain) or metaphorically, an opening or provision granted by the deity El. The place is mentioned as a boundary marker in territorial descriptions.
Semantic Range
proper place name, refers to a physical location associated with divine act of opening or provision; as a boundary marker; theophoric compound designating a place where 'God opens' or provides
Root / Etymology
Formed from the verb פָּתַח (patach, 'to open') and the word אֵל (El, a generic term for 'god,' often referring to the chief deity in the Canaanite and Israelite pantheon). The construction is 'Yiphtach' (he opens) plus 'El' ('God'), yielding 'God opens.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name יִפְתַּח־אֵל occurs in Joshua 19:13 and 19:27 in the context of defining boundaries for the tribal allotments in the Galilean region, most likely in upper Galilee. The use of 'El' rather than the tetragrammaton or a more specifically Israelite divine title reflects early Israelite theophoric naming practices. While translations sometimes render the name with later English conventions, such as 'Jiphthah-el,' these do not capture the original theophoric meaning. The precise location is debated, but it is historically understood as a significant topographic landmark. Over time, the site does not play a prominent role beyond territorial notices. The use of a theophoric personal-placename occurs in several biblical place names, often signifying a hoped-for or commemorated act of divine intervention.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from פָּתַח and אֵל; God will open; Jiphtach-el, a place in Palestine; Jiphthah-el.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אל (ʾ-l) — to go toward, to approach, to direct oneself toward, to be near, to be with
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1008 | בֵּית־אֵל | toward |
| H352 | אַיִל | toward |
| H3815 | לָאֵל | Belonging to El |
| H4027 | מִגְדַּל־אֵל | toward |
| H408 | אַל | toward |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3317-01 |
אֵֽל | el | HNp |
el | toward | 2 |
H3317-02 |
יִפְתַּח | yifetach | HNp |
Iphtah | God Opens | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
4 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3317-02 |
Joshua 19:14 | יִפְתַּח | yifetach | HNp |
Iphtah | God Opens |
H3317-01 |
Joshua 19:14 | אֵֽל | el | HNp |
El | toward |
H3317-02 |
Joshua 19:27 | יִפְתַּח | yifetach | HNp |
of Iphtah | God Opens |
H3317-01 |
Joshua 19:27 | אֵ֥ל | el | HNp |
el | toward |