### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Mᵉthûwshâʼêl**, represented by `{{H4967}}`, means **man who (is) of God**. It identifies an antediluvian patriarch and appears **2 times** within a single verse in the Bible, placing it within a specific genealogical record.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H4967}}` is used exclusively to establish a specific lineage in the early history of humanity. The name appears in the genealogy descending from Cain, where Mehujael begat **Methusael**, and **Methusael** in turn begat Lamech [[Genesis 4:18]]. This singular mention anchors **Methusael**'s identity firmly within this ancestral line.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words establish the genealogical context of **Mᵉthûwshâʼêl**:
* `{{H3205}}` **yâlad** (to beget): This primitive root, meaning to show lineage, is the verb that links **Methusael** to both his father and son in the biblical record [[Genesis 4:18]].
* `{{H4232}}` **Mᵉchûwyâʼêl** (Mehujael): As the father of Methusael, his name means "smitten of God" [[Genesis 4:18]]. He is also identified as an antediluvian patriarch.
* `{{H3929}}` **Lemek** (Lamech): As the son of **Methusael**, he is a key figure in the same lineage and is noted for taking two wives and making a speech about slaying a man ([[Genesis 4:18]], [[Genesis 4:19]], [[Genesis 4:23]]).
* `{{H2585}}` **Chănôwk** (Enoch): As the great-grandfather of **Methusael**, his name means "initiated." He is the patriarch to whom Irad, Methusael's grandfather, was born [[Genesis 4:18]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4967}}` is found primarily in its name and its position within its lineage.
* **Divine Association in Name:** The name **Mᵉthûwshâʼêl** itself carries theological weight, with its definition as **"man who (is) of God"**. This suggests an identity or aspiration connected to the divine.
* **Genealogical Context:** The name appears within a lineage that includes his father, **Mᵉchûwyâʼêl** `{{H4232}}`, whose name means "smitten of God," and his son, **Lemek** `{{H3929}}`, who is noted for his speech about slaying a man [[Genesis 4:23]].
* **Patriarchal Identity:** As an "antediluvian patriarch," his existence is part of the foundational biblical record of humanity's earliest generations, establishing a link in the chain of humanity recorded in scripture.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4967}}` is a name that appears in a single, specific genealogical context. While its usage is limited, the name **Mᵉthûwshâʼêl**, meaning **"man who (is) of God"**, provides a significant point of identity. He serves as a crucial link in the patriarchal line recorded in Genesis, connecting his father, **Mᵉchûwyâʼêl** `{{H4232}}`, to his son, **Lemek** `{{H3929}}`, and his place in the biblical narrative is defined entirely by this ancestral record.
TRV