יִזְרְעֶאל (yiz.re.el)
yiz.re.el
Jezreel
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 30 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Yizreʿel translates to "God sows" or "God plants." It refers primarily to a significant city in the tribe of Issachar, situated on the northwest spur of Mount Gilboa. This location served as the site of King Ahab’s palace and became central to the narrative of royal power in Israel (1 Kings 21:1; 2 Kings 9:15). The name also identifies a lesser-known town in the territory of Judah (Joshua 15:56) and appears as the personal name of Hosea’s eldest son (Hosea 1:4).
Its theological weight emerges through the prophet Hosea, who named his first child Yizreʿel to symbolize impending judgment. The name pointed to the bloodshed committed by the house of Jehu in that very valley (Hosea 1:4; 2 Kings 9:21-37). Yet the meaning shifts from execution to restoration later in the same prophecy, where God promises to break the bow of Israel in the valley of Yizreʿel and restore His people (Hosea 1:5; 2:22). The name thus encapsulates both divine punishment for violence and the future hope of agricultural and spiritual renewal.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Yizreʿel carries a dual meaning that resonates deeply with the human experience of justice and hope. Literally translating to "God sows," it points to a place where divine action is visible. In the history of Israel, this valley witnessed both the tragic consequences of unchecked power and the faithful endurance of prophets who spoke truth to kings.
For believers today, this word reminds us that God sees all actions, whether they are acts of violence or seeds of righteousness. The prophet Hosea used this name to show that judgment is real, yet it was paired with a promise of restoration. It teaches that even in seasons of difficulty, the One who sows justice will also bring about healing and renewal for those who trust in Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 30 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jezreel13×
- in/ Jezreel8×
- Jezreel/ towards7×
- from/ Jezreel2×
- to/ Jezreel1×
- and/ Jezreel1×
- [was] in/ Jezreel1×
- [is] in/ Jezreel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יִזְרְעֶֽאל\׃4×
- יִזְרְעֶֽאלָ/ה\׃3×
- יִזְרְעֶ֑אל3×
- יִזְרְעֶאל֙2×
- יִזְרְעֶ֑אלָ/ה2×
- בְּ/יִזְרְעֶֽאל\׃2×
- בְּ/יִזְרְעֶ֖אל2×
- בְ/יִזְרְעֶ֗אל2×
- מִֽ/יִּזְרְעֶ֗אל1×
- מִֽ/יִּזְרְעֶ֑אל1×
- לְ/יִזְרְעֶ֗אל1×
- יִזְרְעֶֽאל\׃\ \ס1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 21:1
After these things, Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel, next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
Here the city is the setting for Ahab’s theft of Naboth’s vineyard, illustrating how royal power can corrupt justice.
-
II Kings 9:30
When Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her eyes, and adorned her head, and looked out at the window.
Jezebel’s appearance at this window marks the fulfillment of Elijah’s prophecy regarding the end of her reign in Jezreel.