from בָּנָה and אֵל; built of God; Jabneel, the name of two places in Palestine; Jabneel.
Transliteration:Yabnᵉʼêl
Pronunciation:yab-neh-ale'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun יַבְנְאֵל (Yabnᵉʼêl, `{{H2995}}`) is a compound word derived from two foundational elements: the verb בָּנָה (banah, `{{H1129}}`), meaning "to build" or "to establish," and the noun אֵל (ʼēl, `{{H410}}`), meaning "God" or "deity." Therefore, the most direct and accurate translation of Yabnᵉʼêl is "Built of God" or "God Builds/Establishes." As a place name, its semantic range is primarily fixed to its geographical references. However, the etymology itself carries significant theological weight, implying divine agency in the foundation or existence of the location. It speaks to a divine origin or a divinely ordained purpose for the place.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Yabnᵉʼêl (Jabneel) appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, referring to two distinct geographical locations, both serving as significant markers in the tribal allotments during the conquest and settlement of Canaan:
1. **Border of Judah:** In [[Joshua 15:11]], Jabneel is mentioned as a boundary marker for the tribe of Judah. The verse states, "Then the border went out to the north of Ekron, and the border turned to Shikkeron, and passed along to Mount Baalah, and went out to Jabneel; and the end of the border was at the sea." Here, Jabneel marks a point on the northern boundary of Judah, specifically west of Ekron and extending towards the Mediterranean Sea. This location is generally identified with the modern city of Yavne, situated on the coastal plain, south of Jaffa. Its inclusion in Judah's inheritance underscores God's precise and deliberate allocation of land to His chosen people.
2. **Border of Naphtali:** The second occurrence is found in [[Joshua 19:33]], where Jabneel delineates a boundary for the tribe of Naphtali: "And their border went from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim, Adami-nekeb, and Jabneel, as far as Lakkum; and it ended at the Jordan." This Jabneel is clearly distinct from the one in Judah, being located in the northern part of Canaan, within the territory of Naphtali, and extending towards the Jordan River. This northern Jabneel is often identified with modern Yemma in the Galilee region. The dual appearance of the name for two separate places highlights the importance of specific geographical markers in defining the divinely ordained tribal inheritances.
In both contexts, Jabneel functions as a fixed, identifiable point in the landscape, crucial for establishing the precise limits of the tribal territories. The name itself, "Built of God," would have resonated with the Israelites as a testament to God's active involvement in ordering their new homeland.
### Related Words & Concepts
The core components of Yabnᵉʼêl offer rich connections to broader biblical themes:
* **בָּנָה (banah, `{{H1129}}`):** This verb is fundamental to the biblical narrative, signifying not only the construction of physical structures (e.g., the ark, the Temple) but also the establishment of families, cities, nations, and even the building up of individuals. For instance, God "built" Eve from Adam's rib ([[Genesis 2:22]]), and He promised to "build" David a sure house ([[2 Samuel 7:27]]). The concept of divine building implies stability, purpose, and divine initiative.
* **אֵל (ʼēl, `{{H410}}`):** This is a generic Semitic term for "God" or "deity," often used as a component in personal and place names to denote a relationship with or characteristic of God. Examples include Beth-el ("House of God"), Peniel ("Face of God"), Israel ("He struggles with God"), and Immanuel ("God with us"). The presence of 'El' in Yabnᵉʼêl directly attributes the place's origin or nature to the divine.
* **Divine Sovereignty over Land:** The very act of God defining and distributing the land to Israel is a pervasive theme in Joshua. Places like Jabneel, whose names declare divine construction, serve as constant reminders of God's sovereign hand in their inheritance.
* **Borders and Inheritance:** The concept of divinely appointed borders is critical to the covenant between God and Israel. The detailed descriptions of tribal boundaries in Joshua emphasize the meticulous nature of God's provision and the sanctity of the land as an inheritance.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of Yabnᵉʼêl lies primarily in its etymology and its role as a boundary marker. The name "Built of God" serves as a profound theological statement embedded within the very geography of the Promised Land:
1. **Divine Foundation and Ownership:** The name declares that these specific locations, and by extension the entire land of Canaan, were not merely conquered by human strength but were established and given by God. It reinforces the theological truth that the land belongs to Yahweh, and Israel's possession of it is a divine gift and trust.
2. **God's Active Involvement in History:** The existence of places "built of God" speaks to God's immanence and His active participation in the historical and geographical realities of His people. He is not a distant deity but one who meticulously orders the physical world for His redemptive purposes.
3. **Security and Assurance of Inheritance:** For the Israelites, knowing that their territorial boundaries, including places like Jabneel, were "built of God" would have provided a deep sense of security and assurance. Their inheritance was not subject to human caprice but was divinely established and protected.
4. **A Reminder of Divine Blessing:** The name could also be seen as a perpetual reminder of God's blessing upon the land and its inhabitants. Just as God builds families and nations, He also establishes the physical spaces in which life and covenant relationship are to flourish.
### Summary
Yabnᵉʼêl (`{{H2995}}`), meaning "Built of God," is a significant Hebrew proper noun designating two distinct geographical locations within the tribal inheritances of Judah and Naphtali, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. Its etymology, combining "to build" (בָּנָה, `{{H1129}}`) and "God" (אֵל, `{{H410}}`), powerfully conveys the theological truth of divine agency in the establishment of these places and, by extension, the entire land of Israel. As boundary markers, both Jabneels underscore God's meticulous sovereignty over the land and His faithfulness in allocating the inheritance to His people. The name serves as a constant testament to God's active involvement in history, His ownership of the earth, and the divine security of His people's promised possession.
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