### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H3081, יְהוּכַל (Yᵉhûwkal), is a proper noun, specifically the name of an Israelite official during the time of the prophet Jeremiah. Its etymology is deeply significant, deriving from the verb יָכֹל (yakol, `{{H3201}}`), which means "to be able," "to prevail," "to be capable," or "to endure." The initial element, יְהוּ- (Yehu-), is a common abbreviated form of the divine name Yahweh. Therefore, the name Yᵉhûwkal is a theophoric name, most likely meaning "Yahweh is able," "Yahweh will prevail," or "Yahweh has prevailed." As a proper noun, its primary semantic function is to identify a specific individual; however, the rich meaning embedded in its etymology provides a profound theological backdrop to its occurrences in the biblical narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Jehucal (or Jucal, a variant transliteration of the same Hebrew name) appears exclusively in the book of Jeremiah, playing a role in the dramatic events leading up to the Babylonian exile.
1. **[[Jeremiah 37:3]]**: "And King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to Jeremiah the prophet, saying, 'Please pray for us to the Lord our God.'" In this instance, Jehucal is dispatched by the desperate King Zedekiah to seek Jeremiah's intercession with God during the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army. This portrays him as an emissary in a moment of national crisis, seeking divine intervention through the prophet.
2. **[[Jeremiah 38:1]]**: "Now Shephatiah the son of Mattan, Gedaliah the son of Pashhur, Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur the son of Malchiah heard the words that Jeremiah spoke to all the people, saying..." Here, Jehucal (referred to as Jucal) is listed among a group of officials who heard Jeremiah's prophecies, which included the counsel to surrender to the Babylonians to save their lives. These officials subsequently accused Jeremiah of "discouraging the soldiers and all the people" and demanded his death, leading to Jeremiah's imprisonment in a cistern.
The two occurrences reveal a stark contrast in Jehucal's engagement with Jeremiah: initially seeking prayer from the prophet, and later actively opposing and persecuting him for delivering God's challenging message. This transition from seeking divine favor to rejecting divine truth is a poignant detail in the narrative of Judah's decline. The meaning of his name, "Yahweh is able," stands in powerful tension with his actions, as he sought to silence the very voice through whom Yahweh's powerful and prevailing word was being spoken.
### Related Words & Concepts
The core of Yᵉhûwkal's meaning lies in its root, יָכֹל (yakol, `{{H3201}}`), a fundamental Hebrew verb denoting capability, power, and the ability to overcome. This verb is widely used in the Old Testament to describe:
* **Divine Ability**: God's power to create, to save, to judge, to fulfill His promises (e.g., "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" [[Genesis 18:14]] where "hard" relates to yakol).
* **Human Capacity**: The ability of individuals or groups to perform tasks, resist enemies, or endure hardship.
* **Prevailing**: The concept of overcoming obstacles or adversaries, whether in battle or in a legal dispute.
The name יוּכַל (Yukal, `{{H3198}}`) is also listed as a related word, being a variant spelling or transliteration of the same name, or a distinct individual bearing a name with the identical etymological root. This reinforces the significance of the yakol root in personal nomenclature. Theophoric names, generally, are a rich category in biblical Hebrew, often reflecting the piety, hopes, or theological understanding of the parents, or even acting as prophetic declarations about the individual's life or God's character.
### Theological Significance
The name Yᵉhûwkal, meaning "Yahweh is able" or "Yahweh will prevail," carries profound theological significance, serving as a subtle yet potent commentary within the book of Jeremiah. At a time when the nation of Judah faced utter devastation, and human efforts seemed futile, the name itself was a constant, if unheeded, declaration of God's omnipotence and sovereignty.
The irony of Jehucal's actions against Jeremiah is striking. His name proclaimed God's ability to prevail, yet he actively sought to suppress the word of the God who *is* able, a word that called for repentance and submission to God's sovereign plan, even if it involved hardship. This contrast highlights a recurring theological theme: the human tendency to resist divine truth and reject God's messengers, even while implicitly acknowledging God's power (as suggested by King Zedekiah's initial request for prayer).
Jehucal's name serves as a powerful reminder that God's ability and His ultimate triumph are not contingent upon human acceptance or obedience. Even when His people are disobedient, and His prophets are persecuted, Yahweh remains "the One who is able." The narrative surrounding Jehucal underscores the tragic consequences of rejecting the very God whose power and ability his name proclaimed, leading to national judgment despite the inherent truth of God's prevailing nature.
### Summary
H3081, Yᵉhûwkal, is a proper noun identifying an official in King Zedekiah's court during the time of Jeremiah. The name, derived from the root יָכֹל (yakol, `{{H3201}}`) and incorporating the divine name Yahweh, means "Yahweh is able" or "Yahweh will prevail." He appears in [[Jeremiah 37:3]] as an envoy seeking Jeremiah's prayer for the nation, but later in [[Jeremiah 38:1]], he is among those who accuse Jeremiah and seek his death for prophesying divine judgment. The theological significance of Yᵉhûwkal lies in the poignant irony between the declaration of God's omnipotence embedded in his name and his actions of resisting God's prophet and His word. This tension highlights the enduring truth of God's sovereign ability to prevail, regardless of human opposition, serving as a profound commentary on faith, obedience, and the consequences of rejecting divine truth in the face of impending judgment.
TRV