יְעִיאֵל (ye.i.el)
ye.i.el
Jeiel
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name yei’el, rendered Jeiel or Jehiel in English Bibles, appears thirteen times across the Hebrew Scriptures, primarily within the genealogical records of Chronicles and Ezra. It is not a term for a concept or action, but a personal name carried by several distinct individuals scattered throughout Israel’s history. The sources identify bearers of this name ranging from Reubenite chiefs and Levitical gatekeepers to officials in the courts of kings like Uzziah and Josiah.
Linguistically, the name combines yea (“he will sweep away”) with el (“God”). This structure suggests a theological declaration that God is the one who removes or drives out. While the exact nuance of “sweeping away” varies by context—whether implying judgment, purification, or divine protection—the name consistently points to God’s active sovereignty in the lives of those who bear it.
Because the name appears in such diverse roles, from warriors to scribes, it highlights how ordinary Israelites saw their daily duties and lineage as under God’s direct management. Translators typically keep the form Jeiel or Jehiel to preserve these distinct identities without merging them into a single figure. The recurrence of the name underscores the importance of remembering one’s ancestors and their place within the broader narrative of God’s dealings with His people.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Jeiel appears thirteen times in the Hebrew Scriptures, woven into the genealogies of Chronicles and Ezra. It is not a concept or action, but a personal name carried by distinct individuals ranging from Reubenite chiefs to Levitical gatekeepers. The name combines elements meaning "he will sweep away" and "God," suggesting a theological declaration that God removes what hinders His people. This linguistic root points to divine sovereignty in judgment, purification, or protection.
Seeing this name scattered across different roles—from warriors to scribes—highlights how ordinary Israelites viewed their daily duties as under God’s direct management. Whether serving as a doorkeeper in the temple or recording royal accounts, those named Jeiel participated in the broader narrative of God’s dealings with His people. Their lives remind us that lineage and service are meaningful parts of faith.
For believers today, these records encourage trust in God’s active presence in history. Just as He guided the ancestors of Israel, He remains sovereign over the details of our own lives. Remembering these figures helps us see ourselves as part of a continuing story where God works through ordinary people to accomplish His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jeiel8×
- and/ Jeiel6×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְעִיאֵ֣ל2×
- וִֽ/יעִיאֵ֖ל2×
- יְעִיאֵל1×
- יְעִיאֵ֧ל1×
- יְעִיאֵ֤ל1×
- יְעִיאֵ֡ל1×
- יְעִיאֵ֖ל1×
- יְעִיאֵ֑ל1×
- וִֽ/יעִיאֵ֗ל1×
- וִֽ/יעִיאֵ֔ל1×
- וִ/יעִיאֵ֛ל1×
- וִ/יעִיאֵ֑ל1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 15:18
and with them their brothers of the second rank: Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers.
This verse lists Jeiel among the doorkeepers, showing his role in facilitating worship and access to the temple.
-
II Chronicles 20:14
Then Yahweh’s Spirit came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly;
Here Jeiel is an ancestor of Jahaziel, a prophet who delivered a crucial message during King Jehoshaphat’s crisis.
-
I Chronicles 5:7
His brothers by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was listed: the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
Jeiel is named as the chief of the Reubenites, indicating leadership within a tribe that faced significant challenges.
-
II Chronicles 26:11
Moreover Uzziah had an army of fighting men who went out to war by bands, according to the number of their reckoning made by Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the officer, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king’s captains.
This occurrence identifies Jeiel as a scribe who helped organize King Uzziah’s military forces by rank and number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Jeiel mean?
Is Jeiel one person or multiple people?
Where does the name Jeiel appear most often?
Every Occurrence (13 verses across 3 books)
I Chronicles 7 verses
His brothers by their families, when the genealogy of their generations was listed: the chief, Jeiel, and Zechariah,
I Chronicles 8:29The father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, lived in Gibeon
I Chronicles 9:35Jeiel the father of Gibeon, whose wife’s name was Maacah, lived in Gibeon.
I Chronicles 11:44Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,
I Chronicles 15:18and with them their brothers of the second rank: Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah,…
I Chronicles 15:21and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps tuned to the eight-stringed lyre, to…
I Chronicles 16:5Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom,…