from נוּעַ and אֵל; moved of God; Neiel, a place in Palestine; Neiel.
Transliteration:Nᵉʻîyʼêl
Pronunciation:neh-ee-ale'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word נְעִיאֵל (Nᵉʻîyʼêl), Strong's number `{{H5272}}`, is a proper noun, specifically a geographical place name. Its core meaning is derived from its etymological roots, combining the verb נוּעַ (nuwaʻ, `{{H5128}}`), meaning "to waver, shake, totter, wander, move," and the divine name אֵל (ʼEl, `{{H410}}`), meaning "God." Thus, the name literally translates to "moved of God" or "God's movement." As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to its specific referent—a particular location in ancient Palestine. The etymological meaning, however, provides insight into the theological perspective of those who named the place, suggesting a divine hand in its establishment or significance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Neiel (נְעִיאֵל) appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Joshua:
* [[Joshua 19:27]]: "And it turned toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reached to Zebulun, and to the valley of Iphtah-el northward to Beth-emek, and Neiel, and went out to Cabul on the left hand,"
In this sole occurrence, Neiel is listed as a boundary marker for the territory allotted to the tribe of Asher during the division of the land of Canaan. The context is purely geographical and administrative, detailing the borders of the tribal inheritances. It is presented as one among several towns and landmarks that define the extent of Asher's land. No specific historical events, narratives, or significant actions are directly associated with the place Neiel in this passage. Its inclusion serves to precisely delineate the tribal boundaries, underscoring the meticulous nature of the land distribution as recorded in Joshua.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymology of Neiel connects it directly to two fundamental Hebrew terms:
* **נוּעַ (nuwaʻ, `{{H5128}}`):** This verb signifies movement, often involuntary or unstable, such as swaying, tottering, or wandering. It can describe physical displacement ([[Genesis 4:12]], where Cain is cursed to be a "fugitive and a wanderer") or metaphorical shaking ([[Psalm 18:7]], describing the earth trembling at God's presence). In the context of Neiel, it suggests a place that was "moved" or established by divine agency.
* **אֵל (ʼEl, `{{H410}}`):** This is a generic and ancient Semitic term for "God," often used to emphasize God's power, might, and sovereignty. It appears frequently in compound names, both for individuals (e.g., Israel, Samuel) and places (e.g., Bethel, Peniel, Jezreel), signifying a connection to or relationship with the divine.
The concept embedded in "Neiel"—that a place is "moved of God"—relates to the broader biblical theme of divine providence and sovereignty over the land and its inhabitants. It aligns with the understanding that the land of Canaan was a divine gift, its boundaries divinely ordained, and its distribution among the tribes a testament to God's active involvement in the details of Israel's inheritance.
### Theological Significance
As a proper noun for a geographical location, Neiel does not carry a direct theological doctrine or serve as a central theological concept. Its theological significance lies primarily in its etymological meaning: "moved of God." This naming convention reflects a profound theological worldview prevalent in ancient Israel.
1. **Divine Sovereignty over Land:** The name implicitly affirms the belief that even the physical landscape and its demarcations were under divine control. In a book like Joshua, which emphasizes the divine apportionment of the land, a place named "moved of God" subtly reinforces the idea that the very boundaries and features of the land were not arbitrary human constructs but divinely ordered.
2. **God's Active Presence:** The name suggests that God is not a distant deity but one actively involved in the establishment and ordering of the world, down to the specific locations within the promised land. Even a seemingly minor border town could bear a name that testified to God's pervasive influence.
3. **Testimony to Providence:** Neiel stands as a quiet testimony to the Israelite understanding of God's meticulous providence. It suggests that the people who named this place saw God's hand in its very existence or placement, perhaps commemorating a specific divine action or a general acknowledgment of God's overarching plan for the land.
While the biblical text does not elaborate on Neiel beyond its geographical mention, its name serves as a subtle yet powerful reminder of the theological conviction that God's hand was upon every aspect of their inheritance, shaping their world and guiding their destiny.
### Summary
Neiel (נְעִיאֵל, `{{H5272}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun, a place name meaning "moved of God," derived from נוּעַ (nuwaʻ, `{{H5128}}`, "to move/shake") and אֵל (ʼEl, `{{H410}}`, "God"). It appears only once in the Bible, in [[Joshua 19:27]], where it is listed as a boundary marker for the territory of the tribe of Asher. Contextually, its role is purely geographical, serving to delineate tribal inheritances. Theologically, while not a central concept, its name subtly reflects the ancient Israelite worldview of divine sovereignty over the land and its meticulous division. It stands as a quiet testament to the belief that even seemingly minor geographical features were seen as being under God's providential hand, underscoring God's active involvement in the details of the promised land's establishment and distribution.
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