פּוּטִיאֵל
𐤐𐤅𐤈𐤉𐤀𐤋
Putiel
H6317 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name, used only in Exodus 6:25, identifying an ancestor of Phinehas. The name is a theophoric compound, with the second element being 'El' (referring to a deity, commonly the God of Israelite tradition). The meaning of the first element is uncertain due to lack of attested root outside the name. Lexical meaning is therefore: 'Putiel,' a personal name of unclear original meaning, containing the divine element '-el.'
Semantic Range
proper name of a person; only attested as an Israelite man's name; no other uses attested
Root / Etymology
The root of פוּטִי (Pûṭî) is uncertain and unattested elsewhere in Biblical Hebrew; it is combined with אֵל (El, 'God') as the theophoric element. The etymology has been linked, without consensus, to possible roots meaning 'to despise' or 'disparage,' or as a transliteration of a foreign name, but remains uncertain. Thus, the name may mean 'El is my support' if related to an Egyptian root pꜣ-di-'il ('given by El'), or otherwise remains unexplained.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The name occurs only in Exodus 6:25, as part of Aaron's genealogy, identifying the father-in-law of Eleazar and a descendant of Levi. Putiel is described as the father of Eleazar's wife, situating him within the Levite clan structure at the time of the wilderness wanderings. Some have suggested, based on phonetic comparison and the association with Egypt in the wider Exodus narrative, that the name may have Egyptian origins or represents a hybrid name. Unlike common Israelite names, the first element is unique and unattested elsewhere. English translations render it directly as 'Putiel' without attempting interpretation. There is no evidence that this name ever referred to a group or identity other than the individual ancestor in the Aaronide genealogy.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from an unused root (probably meaning to disparage) and אֵל; contempt of God; Putiel, an Israelite; Putiel.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
פתא (p-t-ʾ) — uncertain; possibly give, support, disparage (all speculative)
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6317-01 |
פּֽוּטִיאֵל֙ | putiel | HNp |
Putiel | Putiel | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6317-01 |
Exodus 6:25 | פּֽוּטִיאֵל֙ | putiel | HNp |
Putiel | Putiel |