מַגְדִּיאֵל
𐤌𐤂𐤃𐤉𐤀𐤋
Magediel
H4025 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Magdiel, a personal and territorial name found in the genealogies of Esau's descendants, specifically as one of the chiefs (or clan leaders) of Edom (descendants of Esau). The term primarily serves as a proper name, designating an Edomite clan or its eponymous ancestor.
Semantic Range
proper noun (personal/clan name), Edomite chieftain, eponymous ancestor, possible place or territory designation
Root / Etymology
Magdiel is a compound formed of two elements: מֶגֶד (meged, 'preciousness, choice [things], excellence') and אֵל (ʾel, 'God, deity'). The name thus means 'preciousness of God' or 'God is excellent.' The compound structure—typical of many Hebrew and Northwest Semitic theophoric names—does not necessarily indicate worship or religious function but often serves as an expression of value or dedication.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Magdiel appears in Genesis 36:43 as one of the 'chiefs' (אֵלֶּה אַלּוּפֵי עֵשָׂו) of Edom, listed among the descendants of Esau. Contextually, these designations refer to tribal or clan leaders in Edom during the pre-monarchic period, not to individual persons in a later sense. The use of the theophoric element אֵל (El) is consistent with Edomite and wider Northwest Semitic onomastics; such formations appear among both Israelite and non-Israelite peoples of the region. While the name is structurally related to similar Israelite names, it is exclusively associated with Edomite contexts in the biblical corpus. The term 'Idumaean' refers to later descendants of Edom but is a Greek-derived term used in later periods; the correct terminological reference for the biblical context is 'Edomite.' Standard English translations render the name directly as 'Magdiel' without translation. The meaning of the name is not directly relevant to narrative events but may have been significant within local onomastic traditions.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מֶגֶד and אֵל; preciousness of God; Magdiel, an Idumaean; Magdiel.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מגד + אל (m-g-d + ʾ-l) — preciousness, excellence, choice value; deity, god
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4025-01 |
מַגְדִּיאֵ֖ל | magediel | HNp |
Magdiel | Preciousness of El | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4025-01 |
Genesis 36:43 | מַגְדִּיאֵ֖ל | magediel | HNp |
Magdiel | Preciousness of El |
H4025-01 |
1 Chronicles 1:54 | מַגְדִּיאֵ֖ל | magediel | HNp |
Magdiel | Preciousness of El |