from יָעָה and אֵל; carried away of God; Jeuel, the name of four Israelites; Jehiel, Jeiel, Jeuel. Compare יְעִיאֵל.
Transliteration:Yᵉʻûwʼêl
Pronunciation:yeh-oo-ale'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun `{{H3262}}` (Yᵉʻûwʼêl) is a compound name derived from two distinct elements: the verb יָעָה (ya'ah - `{{H3260}}`), meaning "to sweep away" or "to carry away," and the noun אֵל (ʼēl - `{{H410}}`), meaning "God." Thus, the name literally translates to "Carried Away of God" or "Swept Away by God." This etymological root suggests a profound sense of divine action or agency upon an individual. As a personal name, its semantic range is primarily defined by this inherent meaning, pointing to a person whose life or destiny is perceived to be under the direct influence or guidance of the Almighty. It is one of several similar names, such as `{{H3261}}` (Yᵉʻîyʼêl), which share a common linguistic and theological heritage.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name `{{H3262}}` appears in the Hebrew Bible, identifying at least four distinct individuals, often transliterated as Jeuel, Jehiel, or Jeiel, reflecting the fluidity of ancient Hebrew vocalization in different manuscript traditions.
1. **An Ancestor in Benjamin's Lineage:** In [[1 Chronicles 9:35]], Jeiel is listed as the father of Gibeon and the patriarch of a family line residing in Gibeon and Jerusalem. This Jeiel is presented as a significant ancestral figure in the genealogical records of the post-exilic community, connecting them to their tribal heritage. His inclusion in this critical lineage suggests a divinely ordained place in the history of Israel.
2. **A Scribe in Uzziah's Army:** [[2 Chronicles 26:11]] introduces Jeiel as a scribe (סוֹפֵר - `{{H5608}}`) and an officer (פָּקִיד - `{{H6489}}`) responsible for mustering the army under King Uzziah. This Jeiel held a position of considerable administrative and military importance, indicating a role where God's hand might have "carried" him into a position of influence and service to the kingdom.
3. **A Levite During Hezekiah's Reforms:** In [[2 Chronicles 29:13]], Jeiel is identified as a Levite, a son of Asaph, who actively participated in the purification and consecration of the Temple during King Hezekiah's religious reforms. This context highlights his role in the spiritual revival of the nation, suggesting he was "carried away" by a divine impulse to restore proper worship and holiness.
4. **A Returnee with Ezra:** [[Ezra 8:13]] mentions Jeiel as one of the sons of Adonikam who returned from Babylonian exile with Ezra, bringing sixty males with him. This Jeiel was part of the crucial post-exilic community, contributing to the re-establishment of the Jewish people in their homeland, a profound act of divine restoration where individuals were "carried away" back to their heritage.
In each instance, the individuals bearing this name are found in positions of responsibility, contributing to the fabric of Israelite society, whether through lineage, administration, religious service, or national restoration.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymology of `{{H3262}}` connects it intrinsically to the concept of divine action and sovereignty.
* **יָעָה (ya'ah - `{{H3260}}`)**: The verbal root signifies being "swept away" or "carried away." This implies a movement or change of state that is not self-initiated but is rather the result of an external force. In the context of a personal name, this force is explicitly divine.
* **אֵל (ʼēl - `{{H410}}`)**: The divine component "God" is pervasive in Hebrew names, underscoring the theocentric worldview of ancient Israel. Names like Daniel, Samuel, Gabriel, and Israel all bear witness to this profound connection to the divine.
* **Divine Providence**: The name `{{H3262}}` resonates with the broader biblical theme of God's active involvement in human affairs, guiding individuals according to His will and purpose. It suggests that one's life path, circumstances, and even one's very existence are under divine orchestration.
* **Divine Calling/Selection**: To be "carried away of God" can imply a divine calling or setting apart for a specific purpose, echoing concepts found in the lives of prophets and leaders chosen by God.
* **Comparison with `{{H3261}}` (Yᵉʻîyʼêl)**: This closely related name, also meaning "carried away of God" or "treasured of God," appears for other individuals in Scripture (e.g., [[1 Chronicles 15:18]], [[2 Chronicles 35:9]]), highlighting a common onomastic tradition that emphasized divine care and intervention.
### Theological Significance
The name `{{H3262}}`, "Carried Away of God," bears significant theological weight, reflecting core Israelite beliefs about divine sovereignty and human destiny. It is a testament to the pervasive understanding that God is not a distant deity but an active participant in the lives of His people.
Firstly, the name underscores **divine sovereignty**. It implies that an individual's life is not merely a product of chance or human will but is profoundly influenced, if not entirely directed, by the will of God. This echoes the broader biblical narrative where God calls, guides, and uses individuals for His redemptive purposes, often placing them in roles they might not have chosen for themselves.
Secondly, it speaks to **divine providence and purpose**. The various individuals named Jeuel in Scripture are consistently found in positions of importance—as foundational ancestors, key administrators, devout religious leaders, or crucial figures in the restoration of the community. Their lives, as recorded, seem to exemplify the very meaning of their name: they were indeed "carried away" by God into roles essential for the unfolding of His plan for Israel. This suggests that the name was not merely a label but a reflection, or even a prophecy, of their divinely appointed roles.
Finally, the name embodies a **reverent acknowledgment of God's active presence in human identity**. To name a child "Carried Away of God" is an act of theological confession, recognizing that every life is ultimately held and directed by the Almighty. It speaks to a profound trust in God's guiding hand, even in circumstances that might seem to "sweep" one away from familiar paths.
### Summary
`{{H3262}}` (Yᵉʻûwʼêl), meaning "Carried Away of God," is a Hebrew proper noun that profoundly articulates the ancient Israelite understanding of divine sovereignty and providence. Rooted in יָעָה (to sweep/carry away) and אֵל (God), the name signifies an individual whose life is under the direct influence and guidance of the Almighty. The biblical occurrences of individuals named Jeuel consistently illustrate this meaning, placing them in significant roles as ancestors, military officers, temple reformers, and returnees from exile. The name thus serves as a powerful theological statement, affirming God's active involvement in human destiny, His purposeful selection of individuals, and the profound truth that every life is ultimately "carried" by the hand of the divine.
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