יׇקְתְאֵל (yoq.te.el)
yoq.te.el
Joktheel
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
Yeqteel is a proper noun meaning "the blessedness of God." It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times as the name of a fortified location in the Shephelah, the lowland region of Judah near Lachish.
The word carries significant historical weight because it was not an ancient place name but a deliberate renaming. King Amaziah gave this title to Sela, the stronghold of Edom (often identified with Petra), after capturing it. By naming the conquered city "God's blessedness," Amaziah marked his military victory as a divine act.
This single instance of renaming illustrates how biblical geography often reflects theological claims about power and ownership. The name serves as a permanent marker in the text, linking a specific political event to the sovereignty of God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Joktheel means "the blessedness of God." It appears in Scripture as a reminder that history is shaped by divine purpose. King Amaziah renamed a conquered city to mark his victory, but the text preserves this moment to show how human events reflect God's sovereignty.
For your faith, this word invites trust in God's timing. Even when circumstances seem chaotic or uncertain, Scripture assures us that God remains in control. His blessings are not limited to spiritual matters but extend into every area of life, including the political and historical.
When you face challenges, remember that God can bring good out of difficult situations. Just as Joktheel was renamed to reflect God's favor, your life can become a testimony of His grace. Rest in the assurance that He works all things for those who love Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Joktheel1×
- Joktheel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יָקְתְאֵ֔ל1×
- וְ/יָקְתְאֵֽל\׃1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 14:7
He killed ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt, and took Sela by war, and called its name Joktheel, to this day.
This verse records King Amaziah renaming the captured city of Sela to Joktheel, explicitly linking his military victory to divine blessing.
-
Joshua 15:38
Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel,
This verse lists Joktheel among the fortified cities of Judah, showing its established role in the tribal boundaries and defense of the land.