בָּרַכְאֵל (ba.rakh.el)
ba.rakh.el
Barachel
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Barachel appears only twice in the Bible, both times in the book of Job. It identifies a specific individual who is the father of Elihu, one of the four friends who engage Job in debate about his suffering. The name itself is a theophoric compound meaning "God blesses," combining the word for God (El) with the root for blessing.
Despite its significant theological weight, Barachel himself plays no active role in the narrative. He is mentioned solely to establish Elihu’s lineage and social standing within the community of Teman. This brief reference highlights how ancient genealogies served to ground characters in their cultural context, even when those ancestors remain silent throughout the story.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Barachel means "God blesses," a beautiful reminder that God's favor is woven into our lineage and history. In the book of Job, this name appears only to identify Elihu’s father, yet it carries a quiet weight. It suggests that even those who speak in anger or confusion are part of a story where blessing has been present.
When we face seasons of suffering like Job, we often feel isolated. But Barachel’s name reminds us that our roots matter. We are not alone in our struggles; we belong to a long line of people who have wrestled with God. His silence in the text does not erase his significance. It points us to the idea that every person, even those in the background, plays a role in God’s larger narrative.
Let this name encourage you. Your family history, your heritage, and your place in the community are seen by God. Even when you feel unheard, you are part of a story where God blesses. Trust that He is working, even in the quiet moments between the words.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Barakel2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַּרַכְאֵ֣ל1×
- בַּֽרַכְאֵ֥ל1×
Key Verses
-
Job 32:2
Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.
This verse introduces Barachel as the father of Elihu, grounding Elihu’s identity and anger in a specific family lineage.
-
Job 32:6
Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, “I am young, and you are very old. Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.
Here, Elihu references his father’s name again, using it to establish his own social standing before speaking to the older men.