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.
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.
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.
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.
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