The Hebrew name Yᵉʻîyʼêl, represented by H3273, means carried away of God. It appears 13 times across 12 unique verses in the Bible and is the name given to at least six different Israelites. Also rendered as Jehiel, this name is associated with individuals serving in Levitical, administrative, and genealogical capacities.
The individuals named Jeiel H3273 appear in a variety of roles throughout Israel's history. Several were Levites involved in Temple worship, serving as musicians with harps H3658 and psalteries H5035 1 Chronicles 16:5 and as porters H7778 1 Chronicles 15:18. One Jeiel held a significant administrative position as a scribe H5608 under King Uzziah H5818, keeping the account H6486 of the army 2 Chronicles 26:11. The name also appears in important genealogies, such as the ancestor of Jahaziel H3166 upon whom the Spirit H7307 of the LORD H3068 came 2 Chronicles 20:14 and as the father H1 of Gibeon H1391 1 Chronicles 9:35.
Several related words help clarify the context surrounding the different men named Jeiel:
- H3881 Lêvîyîy (a Levite or descendant of Levi): This term is crucial as multiple men named Jeiel are identified as Levites, defining their sacred duties. For instance, a Jeiel is a chief H8269 of the Levites H3881 who provided passover offerings H6453 2 Chronicles 35:9.
- H5608 çâphar (a scribe, i.e. an official superintendent or magistrate): This word specifies the administrative role one Jeiel held in the royal court, highlighting his responsibility as a scribe H5608 who managed military records 2 Chronicles 26:11.
- H3187 yâchas (to enroll by pedigree; genealogy): The name Jeiel is recorded in contexts where the genealogy H3187 of families was reckoned, underscoring his importance in establishing lineage and tribal identity 1 Chronicles 5:7.
- H8269 sar (a head person (of any rank or class); captain, chief, governor, lord, master, prince, ruler, steward): This title denotes the leadership positions held by individuals named Jeiel, such as a chief H8269 of the Levites 2 Chronicles 35:9 and a captain under the king H4428 2 Chronicles 26:11.
The significance of the name Jeiel H3273 is demonstrated through the diverse and important roles these men fulfilled:
- Levitical Service: The name is frequently linked to the service of the sanctuary. Individuals named Jeiel participated in musical worship 1 Chronicles 15:21, served as porters H7778 1 Chronicles 15:18, and acted as Levitical chiefs H8269 who contributed to religious festivals 2 Chronicles 35:9.
- Genealogical Importance: Jeiel is a key figure in several family lines. He is noted as the father H1 of Gibeon H1391 1 Chronicles 9:35 and a chief H7218 in the genealogy H3187 of his family H4940 1 Chronicles 5:7, showing his foundational role.
- Civil and Military Administration: The name is also associated with secular authority. One Jeiel served as a royal scribe H5608, tasked with accounting for King Uzziah's H5818 army 2 Chronicles 26:11.
- Community Restoration: The name appears among those returning from exile, listed with the sons H1121 of Adonikam H140 Ezra 8:13 and the sons of Nebo H5015 Ezra 10:43, indicating a presence in the rebuilding of the nation.
In summary, H3273 is a name borne by multiple Israelites who played integral parts in the religious, military, and social fabric of the nation. From Levitical musicians and porters to military scribes and genealogical heads, the various men named Jeiel demonstrate a pattern of service and leadership. The name, meaning "carried away of God," aptly describes individuals who were instrumental in the life and worship of Israel across different eras.
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