The Hebrew name Yᵉmûwʼêl, represented by H3223, means day of God. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. This name identifies a specific Israelite, Jemuel, and is used to establish his place within the early history of the tribes of Israel.
In the biblical narrative, H3223 appears exclusively in genealogical listings. Jemuel is identified as one of the sons H1121 of Simeon H8095 who came into Egypt with Jacob. The name is recorded in both Genesis 46:10 and Exodus 6:15, with the latter passage explicitly stating that this group constitutes "the families H4940 of Simeon" Exodus 6:15. This repetition highlights his role as a progenitor of a Simeonite family.
Several related words clarify Jemuel's position within his family and tribe:
- H8095 Shimʻôwn (hearing): As the son of Jacob, Simeon is the patriarch of the tribe. Jemuel is listed as one of his sons H1121, establishing his direct lineage Genesis 46:10.
- H1121 bên (a son): This word defines Jemuel's relationship to Simeon. The accounts in both Genesis and Exodus are primarily concerned with listing the sons who would form the basis of the tribe's families Exodus 6:15.
- H4940 mishpâchâh (a family): This term is used to define the collective group descended from Simeon, including Jemuel and his brothers. The list in Exodus concludes by identifying them as the foundational families of the tribe Exodus 6:15.
- H161 ʼÔhad (unity): Ohad is listed as one of Jemuel's brothers in the same genealogical records, helping to establish the complete roster of Simeon's sons Genesis 46:10.
The significance of H3223 is primarily genealogical and historical.
- Tribal Lineage: Jemuel's inclusion in the sacred text is crucial for documenting the lineage of the tribe of Simeon. He is recorded as the head of one of the foundational families H4940 of the tribe.
- Foundational Identity: By being named as a son H1121 of Simeon, Jemuel is established as part of the second generation of the Israelite nation in Egypt, forming a key link in the chain of Israel's history.
- Preservation of Record: The careful recording of his name in both Genesis and Exodus demonstrates the importance placed on maintaining a precise account of the origins of each tribe and family within Israel.
In summary, H3223 is a personal name whose importance is rooted in its context within the genealogical records of Israel. Although the name itself means "day of God," its biblical application is to identify Jemuel as one of the original sons H1121 of Simeon H8095. His presence in scripture serves to define and preserve the structure of the Israelite families H4940 from their earliest days as a nation (Genesis 46:10, Exodus 6:15).
TRV