from רָפָא and אֵל; God will heal; Jirpeel, a place in Palestine; Irpeel.
Transliteration:Yirpᵉʼêl
Pronunciation:yir-peh-ale'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma H3416 (Yirpᵉʼêl, יִרְפְּאֵל) is a proper noun, specifically a place name. Its meaning is derived from its two constituent elements: רָפָא (rapha, `{{H7495}}`), meaning "to heal, restore," and אֵל (El, `{{H410}}`), a common name for God. Thus, the name Yirpᵉʼêl literally translates to "God will heal" or "God heals." As a geographical designation, its primary semantic function is to identify a specific location. However, the inherent meaning embedded within the name carries profound theological significance, serving as a declarative statement about the character and power of the Divine. Its semantic range is therefore limited to its geographical referent, but its etymological root opens a wider theological vista.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word H3416 (Yirpᵉʼêl) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Joshua:
* **[[Joshua 18:27]]**: "And Zelah, Haeleph, and Jebusi (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, and Kiriath; fourteen cities with their villages. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families." Yirpᵉʼêl is listed among the cities allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. The context is a detailed enumeration of the boundaries and cities assigned to the various Israelite tribes after the conquest of Canaan. In this passage, Yirpᵉʼêl is merely one name in a geographical catalogue, providing no further narrative or historical detail about the city itself or any events associated with it. Despite its seemingly mundane appearance within a list, the name's intrinsic meaning, "God will heal," stands out as a declaration of divine character amidst the geographical survey. It serves as a silent testimony to the faith or hope of those who named or inhabited the place, or perhaps a prophetic statement embedded in the land itself.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary components of H3416 are crucial for understanding its broader biblical connections:
* **רָפָא (rapha, `{{H7495}}`)**: This verb is central to the concept of healing in the Old Testament. It encompasses physical healing from sickness or injury (e.g., [[Exodus 15:26]]), but also extends to spiritual restoration, national recovery from judgment, and the healing of land (e.g., [[2 Chronicles 7:14]], [[Isaiah 6:10]], [[Jeremiah 30:17]]). God is consistently portrayed as the ultimate Healer, Yahweh-Rapha ("The LORD who heals you," [[Exodus 15:26]]).
* **אֵל (El, `{{H410}}`)**: This is a foundational Hebrew term for God, often used in compound names (e.g., Israel, Immanuel, Bethel). It emphasizes God's power, sovereignty, and transcendence. Its presence in Yirpᵉʼêl underscores that the healing is not merely human or natural, but divinely orchestrated.
* **Thematic connection to Divine Healing**: The name Yirpᵉʼêl resonates with numerous biblical passages that highlight God's restorative power and His covenantal promise to heal His people and His land. This concept is foundational to Israel's understanding of God's character and His redemptive plan.
* **Place names with theological significance**: Like many ancient place names (e.g., Bethel – "House of God," Penuel – "Face of God"), Yirpᵉʼêl imbues a geographical location with a theological statement, reflecting the worldview and spiritual convictions of the people.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of Yirpᵉʼêl, a city name meaning "God will heal," carries profound theological weight despite its brief appearance.
1. **Declaration of God's Character**: The name itself is a powerful theological declaration. Even within a dry list of geographical locations, it proclaims God's nature as the ultimate Healer. It serves as a constant, subtle reminder that God is the source of all restoration, whether physical, spiritual, or national.
2. **Hope and Promise**: The future tense implied in "God *will* heal" (from the Yiqtol form of the verb) suggests an enduring promise. In a land often marked by conflict, disease, and spiritual straying, the name Yirpᵉʼêl stands as a testament to the hope that God's restorative power is ever-present and always available. It might have been named in a time of distress, or as a perpetual reminder of God's faithfulness.
3. **Divine Sovereignty in All Things**: The inclusion of such a name within the divinely orchestrated distribution of the land of Canaan underscores that God's redemptive purposes extend even to the physical landscape and the organization of human society. His healing power is not limited to individual ailments but encompasses the well-being of the entire community and the land itself.
4. **Echo of Covenant**: The concept of God as Healer is deeply rooted in the Mosaic covenant. The name Yirpᵉʼêl, therefore, serves as an echo of God's covenantal faithfulness to His people, promising to heal them if they obey Him ([[Exodus 15:26]]).
### Summary
H3416 (Yirpᵉʼêl, יִרְפְּאֵל) is a Hebrew proper noun, a place name meaning "God will heal" or "God heals," derived from the verb רָפָא (rapha, `{{H7495}}`) and the divine name אֵל (El, `{{H410}}`). It appears only once in the biblical text, in [[Joshua 18:27]], where it is listed as one of the cities allotted to the tribe of Benjamin. Despite its singular and seemingly incidental mention within a geographical catalogue, the name carries significant theological weight. It serves as a profound declaration of God's character as the ultimate Healer and Restorer, embodying a message of hope and divine promise. Yirpᵉʼêl quietly testifies to God's enduring sovereignty and His active role in the well-being and restoration of His people and His land, reinforcing a fundamental truth about His nature that transcends its specific geographical context.
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