טָֽבְאֵל (ta.ve.el)
ta.ve.el
Tabeel; Tabeal
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 Hebrew name Tab’el, meaning “God is good,” appears in only two verses of Scripture, referring to two distinct individuals separated by centuries but linked by this shared theophoric element. In Ezra 4:7, Tabeel serves as an Aramaic official or secretary under King Artaxerxes, submitting a formal letter to the Persian court that sought to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls.
The second mention occurs in Isaiah 7:6, where the name appears as Tab’al. Here, it identifies a man whose son was intended by Pekah and Rezin to replace Ahaz as king of Judah during the Syro-Ephraimite crisis. While some textual traditions distinguish these figures by spelling or pointing, both names point to the same core declaration: that goodness originates from God.
Though these men play minor roles in the biblical narrative, their presence highlights how ordinary political actors and foreign officials intersected with Israel’s history. The repetition of this name underscores a consistent theological motif: even in times of exile or siege, the identity of God as good remains central to 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 Tabeel means “God is good,” a simple declaration that anchors faith in difficult times. In Ezra 4:7, a man with this name appears as an official in the Persian court, using his position to oppose the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. His presence shows that even those working against God’s people carry names that honor Him, reminding us that God’s goodness is not limited by human opposition or political schemes.
Similarly, in Isaiah 7:6, Tabeel’s son is mentioned as a potential king during a time of war and fear. Though the plot fails, the name itself points to a deeper truth: our security does not rest in human leaders or military strength, but in the character of God. This word invites us to trust that God remains good, even when circumstances seem uncertain or hostile.
When we face challenges, we can remember that God’s goodness is constant. It does not depend on our success or safety, but on who He is. This truth offers hope and stability, encouraging us to rest in His care rather than relying on our own understanding.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Tabeel2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- טָֽבְאַֽל\׃\ \ס1×
- טָֽבְאֵל֙1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 4:7
In the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Syrian and delivered in the Syrian language.
This verse shows Tabeel as a Persian official opposing Jerusalem’s rebuilding, illustrating how God’s goodness operates even through adversaries in political spheres.
-
Isaiah 7:6
“Let’s go up against Judah, and tear it apart, and let’s divide it among ourselves, and set up a king within it, even the son of Tabeel.”
Here, Tabeel’s son is named in a conspiracy to replace Judah’s king, highlighting that human plans for power cannot override God’s sovereign purposes.