apparently for יְמוּאֵל; Nemuel, the name of two Israelites; Nemuel.
Transliteration:Nᵉmûwʼêl
Pronunciation:nem-oo-ale'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun נְמוּאֵל (Nemu'el), Strong's H5241, is primarily a personal name. Its base definition explicitly states that it is "apparently for יְמוּאֵל" (Yemu'el, `{{H3223}}`). This connection is crucial for understanding its potential semantic range. While נְמוּאֵל itself does not have an independently derived etymological meaning provided by lexicons, its association with יְמוּאֵל suggests a shared or closely related origin. The name יְמוּאֵל (Yemu'el) is often interpreted as "Day of God" or "God is my day." Therefore, נְמוּאֵל, by extension, would carry a similar theological resonance, implying a divine appointment, a day marked by God's presence, or a life lived in the light of God's favor. The name functions exclusively as a proper noun, referring to a specific individual within the genealogies of Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name נְמוּאֵל (Nemu'el) appears in two primary biblical contexts, both within genealogical lists:
1. **[[Numbers 26:12]]**: "The sons of Simeon by their clans: Nemuel, Jamin, Jachin, Zerah, Shaul." Here, Nemuel is listed as the first son of Simeon and the progenitor of the Nemuelite clan (מִשְׁפַּחַת הַנְּמוּאֵלִי). This occurrence is part of the second census of Israel taken in the plains of Moab, prior to entering the Promised Land. This census served to organize the tribes and assign land inheritances, highlighting the continued existence and vitality of the tribal divisions.
2. **[[1 Chronicles 4:24]]**: "The sons of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, Shaul." This passage provides a parallel genealogical account of the tribe of Simeon, largely confirming the names found in Numbers. The Chronicler's genealogies often serve to establish the continuity of God's covenant people, emphasizing their lineage and divine election.
It is important to note the connection to יְמוּאֵל (Yemu'el, `{{H3223}}`). In [[Genesis 46:10]], in the list of those who went down to Egypt with Jacob, the first son of Simeon is listed as "Jemuel" (יְמוּאֵל). This variation in spelling (Nemuel vs. Jemuel) for the same individual (the firstborn son of Simeon) is a known phenomenon in Hebrew orthography, reflecting either a dialectal difference, scribal variation, or phonetic shifts over time. Regardless of the spelling, the individual referenced is consistent: the foundational ancestor of a major clan within the tribe of Simeon. The context for all occurrences is strictly genealogical, underscoring the importance of lineage and tribal identity in ancient Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
1. **יְמוּאֵל (Yemu'el, `{{H3223}}`):** This is the most directly related word, as נְמוּאֵל is considered an alternate form of this name. The shared identity of the individual and the similar phonetic structure underscore their close relationship.
2. **שִׁמְעוֹן (Simeon, `{{H8045}}`):** As the father of Nemuel/Jemuel, Simeon is the immediate familial context. The tribe of Simeon, while significant in Israel's early history, later became somewhat diminished and absorbed into Judah, making the preservation of its lineage through names like Nemuel particularly noteworthy.
3. **אֵל (El, `{{H410}}`):** The divine element "El" is present in both נְמוּאֵל and יְמוּאֵל, a common feature in Hebrew personal names. This suffix signifies a direct connection to God, implying that God is the source of the name's meaning or that the individual's life is under divine purview.
4. **Genealogy and Lineage:** The primary context for נְמוּאֵל is its appearance in biblical genealogies. These lists are not mere historical records but theological statements, emphasizing the continuity of God's covenant people, the fulfillment of divine promises through generations, and the establishment of tribal identities.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of נְמוּאֵל, while subtle due to its limited appearance as a proper noun, is deeply embedded in the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant with Israel:
1. **Divine Naming and Identity:** The presence of "El" (God) in the name, whether "Day of God" or "God is my day," signifies a divine connection. Even for a figure known primarily through a name in a list, this element points to God's active involvement in the lives of His people from their very inception. It underscores that individual identity, even within a collective, is ultimately rooted in God.
2. **Continuity of God's Covenant People:** The inclusion of Nemuel in the census of Numbers and the genealogies of Chronicles is a testament to the enduring nature of God's covenant with Israel. Despite challenges, wilderness wanderings, and the passage of generations, the tribes and their foundational families, like the Nemuelites, persisted. This demonstrates God's faithfulness in preserving a people for Himself.
3. **Theological Purpose of Genealogies:** Biblical genealogies are not merely dry lists but serve profound theological purposes. They establish legitimacy, define inheritance, and, most importantly, trace the lineage leading to the Messiah. Nemuel, as an ancestor within the tribe of Simeon, contributes to this overarching narrative, reminding the reader that every individual, even those briefly mentioned, plays a part in God's redemptive plan.
4. **God's Sovereignty Over History:** The slight variation in spelling between Nemuel and Jemuel, while a linguistic detail, can also be seen as reflecting God's sovereign hand over the transmission of His Word. Despite minor orthographic differences, the identity of the person and the theological truth conveyed through the genealogies remain constant, affirming the reliability of the biblical record.
### Summary
נְמוּאֵל (Nemu'el, `{{H5241}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, a personal name primarily known as the first son of Simeon and the progenitor of the Nemuelite clan. It is considered an alternate spelling of יְמוּאֵל (Yemu'el, `{{H3223}}`), which likely carries the meaning "Day of God" or "God is my day." Its biblical occurrences are confined to genealogical lists in [[Numbers 26:12]] and [[1 Chronicles 4:24]], with the parallel in [[Genesis 46:10]] using the Jemuel spelling. The theological significance of Nemuel lies in its contribution to the biblical emphasis on divine naming, the continuity and preservation of God's covenant people, and the crucial role of genealogies in tracing God's faithful work throughout Israel's history towards His ultimate redemptive purposes.
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