מְחוּיָאֵל (me.chu.ya.el)
me.chu.ya.el
Mehujael
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Mehujael appears only once in Scripture, recorded in Genesis 4:18 as part of the genealogy tracing Cain’s descendants. It identifies him as the son of Irad and the father of Methushael, placing him in the second generation after Cain’s exile. The name itself is a theophoric compound meaning "smitten by God," combining a root for striking or wounding with the divine name El.
While the text offers no narrative about his life or character, the meaning of his name carries significant weight within its context. Cain had been marked and banished by God for murder, yet Mehujael’s name suggests that even in this line of judgment, God’s presence remained active. The term "smitten" can imply being struck down, but in names it often reflects a profound encounter with the divine rather than mere punishment.
This single mention highlights how biblical genealogies preserve the memory of individuals who might otherwise be forgotten. Mehujael serves as a link between the first murderer and the subsequent generations that built cities and developed arts. His name reminds readers that God’s sovereignty extends over all human history, even through lines marked by sin.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Names in the Bible often carry more weight than we initially notice. Mehujael means 'smitten by God,' a title that might sound harsh at first glance. Yet, within the context of Genesis 4, this name points to a profound encounter with the divine rather than simple punishment. It reminds us that even in lines marked by sin and exile, God’s presence remains active and sovereign.
This single mention serves as a bridge between Cain’s immediate family and the generations that followed. While we do not know Mehujael’s personal story, his name preserves his memory within God’s larger narrative. It invites us to see how every individual, no matter how obscure their record, plays a part in the unfolding of history under God’s watchful eye.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Mehujael1×
- Mehujael1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְחֽוּיָאֵ֑ל1×
- וּ/מְחִיּיָאֵ֗ל1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 4:18
Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.
This verse establishes Mehujael as a crucial link in the genealogy, connecting Irad to Methushael and preserving his identity within Cain's lineage.