יְמוּאֵל (ye.mu.el)
ye.mu.el
Jemuel
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 Yemo’el, rendered Jemuel in English Bibles, identifies a specific patriarchal figure from the tribe of Simeon. He appears primarily in genealogical records during the era of Israel’s descent into Egypt and subsequent wilderness journey. As the eldest son of Simeon, he is listed among his brothers in Genesis 46:10, anchoring him within the foundational family structure that would become one of the twelve tribes.
Linguistically, the name combines the word for "day" with a suffix for God, translating to "day of God." This theophoric element places him alongside other patriarchs whose names reflect divine attributes or actions. The text notes a slight variation in his name as Nemuel in Numbers 26:12, likely due to scribal transmission differences between the two genealogical lists separated by centuries.
His presence in Scripture serves a structural rather than narrative purpose. He does not speak or act individually but represents the continuity of Simeon’s lineage through the transition from family unit to tribal entity. His inclusion ensures the completeness of the seventy souls who entered Egypt, marking him as a vital link in the preservation of the tribe.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jemuel means 'day of God,' a simple phrase that carries deep weight in Scripture. He appears in Genesis and Exodus not as a character with his own story, but as a vital link in the chain of Simeon’s family. His presence reminds us that God values every individual within His people, even those whose names are recorded only in lists.
Genealogies often feel distant, yet they show how faithfully God preserves His promises across generations. Jemuel’s inclusion ensures the completeness of the seventy souls who entered Egypt. This continuity is not accidental; it reflects a divine plan that moves steadily from family to tribe, and eventually to a nation.
When you read these records, consider the quiet faithfulness of ancestors like Jemuel. They lived their days under God’s care, trusting Him with their future. Their names are preserved so we might see the reliability of God’s word. May this awareness bring you peace, knowing that your life is also held securely in His hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [were] Jemuel1×
- Jemuel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְמוּאֵ֨ל1×
- יְמוּאֵ֧ל1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 46:10
The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman.
This verse anchors Jemuel as the firstborn of Simeon during the family's descent into Egypt, establishing his role in the foundational lineage.
-
Exodus 6:15
The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the families of Simeon.
Here the name reappears in a later census, confirming the continuity of Simeon’s tribe despite the passage of centuries and potential scribal variations.