The Hebrew name Pûwṭîyʼêl, represented by H6317, identifies a specific Israelite. The name is defined as contempt of God. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The name marks a figure connected to the priestly lineage through his daughter's marriage into the family of Aaron.
In the biblical narrative, H6317 is mentioned in a genealogy of the Levites. The sole reference states that Eleazar, the son H1121 of Aaron, took H3947 one of the daughters H1323 of Putiel to be his wife H802 Exodus 6:25. This union produced Phinehas, a significant figure in the priestly line. Putiel's only role in scripture is as the father-in-law to Eleazar and the maternal grandfather of Phinehas, solidifying a key family connection within the tribe of the Levites H3881.
Several related words in the passage help establish Putiel's place in the priestly lineage:
- H499 ʼElʻâzâr (Eleazar): Defined as "God (is) helper," Eleazar was the son H1121 of Aaron who married a daughter H1323 of Putiel, connecting Putiel's family directly to the high priesthood Exodus 6:25.
- H6372 Pîynᵉchâç (Phinehas): Meaning "mouth of a serpent," he was the son bare H3205 to Eleazar and Putiel's daughter. He is a key figure in the lineage of the Levites (Exodus 6:25, Numbers 25:11).
- H1323 bath (daughter): This term establishes the specific familial link. Eleazar took one of the daughters of Putiel to be his wife H802, making her the mother of Phinehas Exodus 6:25.
- H4940 mishpâchâh (family): The verse concludes by situating these individuals within the context of the families of the Levites, highlighting the importance of genealogy in defining roles and inheritance within the tribe Exodus 6:25.
The theological weight of H6317 is found entirely in its contribution to the biblical record of the priesthood.
- Genealogical Integrity: The mention of Putiel is crucial for establishing the maternal lineage of Phinehas, a grandson of Aaron. This meticulous record-keeping underscores the importance of legitimate descent for the Aaronic priesthood Exodus 6:25.
- Priestly Lineage: By being the father-in-law of Eleazar H499 and grandfather of Phinehas H6372, Putiel is an ancestor in the line from which future high priests would come. The account solidifies the historical foundation of this key family within the tribe of Levi Ezra 7:5.
- Historical Marker: Although the name Pûwṭîyʼêl means "contempt of God," the scripture provides no further commentary on this. His sole function in the text is to be a historical anchor point in the genealogy of the Levite families H4940.
In summary, H6317 Pûwṭîyʼêl is a name that appears once in scripture, functioning as a vital link in the genealogy of the Levitical priesthood. His identity is fixed as the father of the woman who married Eleazar, the son of Aaron, and became the mother of Phinehas. While the name itself means "contempt of God," its biblical role is purely structural, helping to authenticate the lineage of one of Israel's most important priestly lines as recorded in Exodus Exodus 6:25.
TRV