הִלֵּל (hil.lel)
hil.lel
Hillel
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 Hillel means "he has praised" or "praising." In the Old Testament, it identifies a specific individual from the tribe of Ephraim who lived during the period of the Judges, before Israel established a monarchy.
Hillel is best known as the father of Abdon, one of the minor judges described in Judges 12:13-15. The biblical text notes that Hillel was from Pirathon in Mount Ephraim and that his son served as judge for forty years. This brief mention connects the name to a time of tribal leadership rather than royal rule.
With only two occurrences in Scripture, both tied to this family line, the word serves primarily as a proper noun marker. Its meaning reflects a common Hebrew practice of embedding gratitude or worship into personal names, acknowledging God’s role in a person’s life or lineage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hillel carries a simple but profound meaning: "he has praised." In Judges 12, this name appears not as a title for a king or a prophet, but as part of a brief genealogical record. It marks the lineage of Abdon, a judge who led Israel for forty years. This context reminds us that praise is not reserved only for dramatic moments of deliverance or high office; it is woven into the quiet, steady service of ordinary leaders.
When we encounter names like Hillel in Scripture, we are invited to see how God honors faithful stewardship across generations. The text does not elaborate on Hillel’s personal prayers, yet his name stands as a lasting testimony to gratitude. It suggests that a life rooted in thankfulness leaves a legacy that outlasts its own time.
This word encourages us to consider how our own lives might reflect praise, even when we are working behind the scenes. Whether in leadership or in support, embedding gratitude into our daily actions creates a foundation for those who follow. It is a quiet witness that points back to God’s faithfulness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hillel2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הִלֵּ֖ל2×
Key Verses
-
Judges 12:13
After him, Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel.
This verse identifies Hillel as the father of Abdon, establishing the family line responsible for a significant period of judicial leadership.
-
Judges 12:15
Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.
Here the name reappears in the context of burial, anchoring Hillel’s legacy to a specific location and confirming the continuity of his family's role.