from חָצָהlemma חָעָה ayin, corrected to חָצָה and אֵל; God will allot; Jachtseel, an Israelite; Jahzeel. Compare יַחְצִיאֵל.
Transliteration:Yachtsᵉʼêl
Pronunciation:yakh-tseh-ale'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun יַחְצְאֵל (Yachtsᵉʼêl, `{{H3183}}`) is a theophoric name, meaning it incorporates a divine element. It is compounded from two primary components: the verbal root חָצָה (chatsah, `{{H2673}}`), meaning "to divide," "to cut in half," or "to apportion/allot," and אֵל (El, `{{H410}}`), a common designation for God. Therefore, the name's core meaning is "God will allot," "God apportions," or "God divides." This semantic range points to divine sovereignty in the distribution of inheritances, roles, or destinies, emphasizing God as the ultimate source of provision and order.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name יַחְצְאֵל (Yachtsᵉʼêl) appears three times in the Hebrew Bible, consistently referring to the same individual, a son of Naphtali.
1. **[[Genesis 46:24]]**: Jahzeel is listed among the sons of Naphtali who descended into Egypt with Jacob. This verse places him within the foundational genealogical record of the twelve tribes of Israel, establishing his lineage as one of the seventy souls who formed the nascent nation.
2. **[[Numbers 26:48]]**: During the second census of Israel, taken in the plains of Moab, Jahzeel is identified as the progenitor of the "Jahzeelites" (יַחְצְאֵלִי, Yachtsᵉʼêlî), a family within the tribe of Naphtali. This occurrence highlights his role as a tribal head and founder of a significant subdivision, indicating the perpetuation of his name through his descendants.
3. **[[1 Chronicles 7:13]]**: This verse reiterates Jahzeel's position as a son of Naphtali within the genealogical records of the Chronicler. The consistent mention across these key historical and genealogical texts underscores his importance as an ancestral figure for a segment of the tribe of Naphtali.
In all contexts, the name functions as a proper noun within genealogical lists, serving to trace the lineage and establish the tribal structure of ancient Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root חָצָה (chatsah, `{{H2673}}`), from which the first part of the name is derived. This root appears frequently in the Old Testament, denoting actions of dividing, apportioning, or taking half, often in contexts of land distribution, military spoil, or the division of a group. The divine element אֵל (El, `{{H410}}`) is common in Hebrew names, signifying a connection to God and often attributing an action or quality to Him.
Significantly, the Strong's entry notes a comparison with יַחְצִיאֵל (Yachtsi'el, `{{H3184}}`), which is an alternative spelling or transliteration for the same individual, further confirming the identity and meaning. Conceptually, the name relates to divine providence, inheritance, and the sovereign distribution of blessings or roles within the covenant community. It resonates with the broader biblical theme that God is the ultimate allotter of portions, whether of land, destiny, or spiritual gifts.
### Theological Significance
The name יַחְצְאֵל (Yachtsᵉʼêl), "God will allot," carries profound theological significance. It speaks directly to the doctrine of divine providence, asserting that God is actively involved in the ordering and distribution of all things, including the lives and destinies of individuals and families. For a foundational figure of a tribal family, the name serves as a constant reminder that the very existence, place, and inheritance of the Jahzeelites within Israel were not by chance or human design, but divinely ordained and allotted.
This name underscores God's sovereignty as the one who determines boundaries, assigns roles, and dispenses blessings. It implicitly teaches a posture of trust and dependence on God's wise and just apportionment, rather than relying on human striving or fortune. In a broader sense, it reflects the biblical worldview where God is the ultimate orchestrator of history and the lives of His people, assigning each their portion according to His divine will.
### Summary
יַחְצְאֵל (Yachtsᵉʼêl, `{{H3183}}`), transliterated as Jahzeel or Jachtseel, is a Hebrew proper name meaning "God will allot" or "God divides." Derived from the root חָצָה (to divide/apportion, `{{H2673}}`) and the divine name אֵל (God, `{{H410}}`), it signifies God's sovereign role in distribution. This individual is identified in the biblical genealogies as a son of Naphtali and the progenitor of the Jahzeelite family ([[Genesis 46:24]], [[Numbers 26:48]], [[1 Chronicles 7:13]]). The name's theological weight lies in its affirmation of divine providence, highlighting God's active and intentional hand in determining the lineage, inheritance, and destiny of His people, thereby inviting trust in His ultimate apportionment. It is also closely related to the variant spelling יַחְצִיאֵל (Yachtsi'el, `{{H3184}}`).
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