גְּאוּאֵל (ge.u.el)
ge.u.el
Geuel
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Geuel appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Numbers 13:15, where he is listed as one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan. He represents the tribe of Gad and is identified specifically as the son of Machi. Because this is his sole mention, no narrative details about his actions or character are provided beyond his selection for this critical mission.
Etymologically, the name combines the elements ge’ul and El, typically understood to mean "majesty of God" or "redemption of God." This theological weight contrasts sharply with the outcome of the spy mission. While the name suggests divine glory or deliverance, the majority of the spies returned with a report focused on fear and impossibility, including Geuel’s fellow Gadite.
His inclusion in the list highlights the diversity of voices within the scouting party. Though he is not named again in Scripture, his presence underscores the gravity of the decision facing Israel: whether to trust God’s promise or succumb to human anxiety. The brevity of his record leaves his personal faith and response to the spies' report unknown.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Geuel, meaning 'God is my redeemer' or 'majesty of God,' appears only once in Scripture as one of the twelve spies sent to scout Canaan (Numbers 13:15). His brief mention reminds us that God calls ordinary people from diverse tribes for significant tasks. Even when surrounded by fear and doubt, our identity in God remains secure.
While most spies returned with reports of giants and walls, Geuel’s name stands as a quiet witness to divine strength. We may feel overshadowed by the doubts of others or overwhelmed by challenges that seem impossible. Yet God’s redeeming power does not depend on human courage alone. His promises hold firm regardless of our circumstances.
This single verse invites us to trust in God’s faithfulness even when we cannot see the full picture. Like Geuel, we are part of a larger story where God works through many voices. We can rest in the knowledge that He redeems and sustains us through every trial.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Geuel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- גְּאוּאֵ֖ל1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 13:15
Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
This verse identifies Geuel as the representative of Gad, highlighting his role among the twelve spies despite lacking narrative detail.