נְמוּאֵל
𐤍𐤌𐤅𐤀𐤋
Nemuel
H5241 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun designating individuals named Nᵉmûwʼêl, borne by two persons in the Hebrew Bible. The name likely means 'God is spreading/abundant' or 'day of God,' depending on the underlying root. Used exclusively as a personal name, it is not attested with a common noun meaning.
Semantic Range
personal name, descendant of Simeon, possible descendant of Benjamin
Root / Etymology
Uncertain; possibly from the root מנא ('to count') or a metathesized form of ימאל (as in Strong's), though both suggestions are debated. The initial נְ- could mark a passive or adjectival form, while the second element, -אֵל, is the theophoric element meaning 'God.' Thus, the name may intend 'God is spreading/prolific' or 'God is enumerating,' or be related to a similar name such as יְמוּאֵל (Yemuel, H3228).
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, נְמוּאֵל appears as the name of two different individuals: a son of Simeon, ancestor of a Simeonite clan (Num 26:12; 1 Chr 4:24), and a descendant of Benjamin (1 Chr 7:7), though the latter is sometimes considered a textual variant. The relationship to the similarly structured name יְמוּאֵל (Yemuel) in Gen 46:10 is noted, and some traditions equate these names. The name is typical of biblical theophoric compounds, though no non-personal or non-nominal uses are attested. Some later English translations render the name as 'Nemuel'; traditional translations occasionally substitute other forms depending on context. The use of the name reflects naming patterns among Israelite tribes in the patriarchal and early monarchic periods, with no known use outside of genealogical lists.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
apparently for יְמוּאֵל; Nemuel, the name of two Israelites; Nemuel.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מנא / ימאל (m-n-ʾ / y-m-ʾ-l) — to count, to enumerate, to spread, to make prolific
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5241-02 |
נְמוּאֵ֖ל | nemuel | HNp |
Nemuel | God-counts | 2 |
H5241-01 |
לִ/נְמוּאֵ֗ל | linemuel | HR/Np |
of Nemuel | to God-is-spreading | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5241-02 |
Numbers 26:9 | נְמוּאֵ֖ל | nemuel | HNp |
Nemuel | God-counts |
H5241-01 |
Numbers 26:12 | לִ/נְמוּאֵ֗ל | linemuel | HR/Np |
of Nemuel | to God-is-spreading |
H5241-02 |
1 Chronicles 4:24 | נְמוּאֵ֣ל | nemuel | HNp |
Nemuel | God-counts |