The Hebrew name Gᵉmallîy, represented by H1582, is defined as cameldriver. This name belongs to an Israelite man and appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse within the entire biblical text. Its sole purpose in scripture is to provide patrilineal identification.
The single appearance of H1582 is found in the list of the twelve spies chosen to scout the land of Canaan. Gemalli is named as the father of Ammiel, the man selected to represent the tribe of Dan on this critical mission. The text specifies this lineage clearly: "Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli" Numbers 13:12. Gemalli himself is not described further; his mention is purely for the sake of identifying his son.
Several words are directly associated with Gemalli in his only biblical mention:
- H5988 ʻAmmîyʼêl (people of God; Ammiel, the name of three or four Israelites): This is the name of Gemalli's son, who served as the scout from the tribe of Dan Numbers 13:12.
- H1121 bên (a son): This word establishes the direct father-son relationship between Gemalli and Ammiel, a common way of defining identity and lineage in the Old Testament Numbers 13:12.
- H1835 Dân (judge; Dan, one of the sons of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him): This identifies the specific Israelite tribe to which Gemalli and his son Ammiel belonged Numbers 13:12.
- H4294 maṭṭeh (a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe): This term is used to denote the tribal division from which each of the twelve spies was chosen Numbers 13:12.
The significance of H1582 is entirely derived from its narrative context rather than its definition.
- Patrilineal Identification: The mention of Gemalli serves a crucial cultural and administrative function, identifying his son, Ammiel, by his father's name. This was the standard method for establishing a person's formal identity within Israel.
- Tribal Representation: Gemalli's name is part of the formal record of the men chosen to represent each ancestral tribe for the mission to Canaan. His son's selection marks the tribe of Dan's participation in this pivotal event Numbers 13:12.
- Role in History: Although Gemalli is a background figure, he is the father of one of the twelve men whose report would determine the fate of an entire generation of Israelites.
In summary, H1582 Gᵉmallîy is a name that, while likely meaning "cameldriver," functions exclusively as a genealogical marker in the Bible. It appears once to identify Ammiel, the spy from the tribe of Dan, thereby anchoring this important figure within his family and tribe. The name's significance is not in its own meaning but in its role within the vital historical account of the twelve spies Numbers 13:12.
TRV