יִגְאָל (yig.al)
yig.al
Igal
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Yig'al means "He redeems," carrying a theological weight that connects three distinct figures across Israel’s history. In Numbers 13:7, it identifies one of the twelve spies sent from the tribe of Issachar to explore the land of Canaan. This usage anchors the name in the wilderness era, linking the bearer to the foundational moment of entering the Promised Land.
Centuries later, the same name appears in 2 Samuel 23:36 as one of King David’s mighty warriors, the son of Nathan of Zobah. Here, the meaning "He redeems" resonates with the military deliverance provided to Israel under David’s reign. A third instance is found in 1 Chronicles 3:22, listing a descendant of Zerubbabel who lived during the post-exilic period, showing how the name persisted through generations of restoration.
Though mentioned only three times, Yig'al serves as a linguistic thread tying together the conquest, monarchy, and return from exile. The consistent meaning underscores a central biblical theme: that redemption is not limited to one era but defines God’s interaction with His people throughout their history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Yig'al means "He redeems," a simple phrase that carries deep weight across Israel's history. It appears in Numbers attached to a spy from Issachar, reminding us that God’s plan for the land began with trust and observation. Later, it marks one of David’s mighty warriors, showing how divine deliverance often works through faithful people standing firm in difficult times.
Even in the post-exilic period, the name survives in genealogies, linking generations who rebuilt their lives after exile. This continuity suggests that redemption is not a single event but an ongoing thread in God’s story with His people. When you encounter this name, it invites reflection on how God sustains His community through conquest, monarchy, and restoration.
For your faith, Yig'al offers a quiet assurance: the God who redeems then is the same God who redeems now. Whether facing uncertainty or rebuilding after loss, you can trust that redemption remains central to His character. This name does not shout; it testifies through generations of faithful remembrance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Igal2×
- and/ Igal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִגְאָ֤ל1×
- יִגְאָ֖ל1×
- וְ֠/יִגְאָל1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 13:7
Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.
This verse anchors the name in the wilderness era, linking Igal to the foundational moment of exploring the Promised Land.
-
II Samuel 23:36
Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
Here, the name appears among David’s mighty warriors, resonating with military deliverance provided to Israel under his reign.
-
I Chronicles 3:22
The son of Shecaniah: Shemaiah. The sons of Shemaiah: Hattush, Igal, Bariah, Neariah, and Shaphat, six.
This listing shows how the name persisted through generations of restoration in the post-exilic period.