נַחֲלִיאֵל (na.cha.li.el)
na.cha.li.el
Nahaliel
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Nahaliel translates to "torrents of God" or "valley of El," marking a specific stop on Israel’s journey through the wilderness. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Numbers 21:18 as part of the poetic account of the well dug by the leaders. The name serves as a geographical marker for a station located north of the Arnon river, situated east of the Dead Sea.
Lexical sources identify this location with another place called Lasha, suggesting that Nahaliel and Lasha are alternative names for the same site. The etymology combines nachal, meaning stream or torrent, with El, a name for God. This linguistic structure implies that the location was characterized by water sources significant enough to be associated with divine provision during their travels.
Its singular occurrence highlights how ancient Israelite geography often preserved names that reflected theological themes of sustenance. By linking a physical landmark to "God's torrent," the text embeds a memory of reliance on divine care into the landscape itself, turning a simple waystation into a testament to provision in the arid wilderness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Nahaliel, meaning "torrents of God," appears only once in Scripture within Numbers 21:19. It marks a specific stop on Israel’s long journey through the wilderness, situated between Mattanah and Bamoth. This brief mention anchors a moment of divine provision in a landscape defined by scarcity.
For your faith today, this word reminds us that God meets our needs in the most unexpected places. Just as water appeared in the desert for Israel, You can bring refreshment to your own dry seasons. The name itself suggests that what sustains us is not merely physical, but rooted in Your character and care.
When life feels like a barren stretch of road, remember that God’s presence is the true source of living water. This ancient marker invites you to trust that You are providing for your journey, even when the path ahead seems unclear or difficult.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ from/ Nahaliel1×
- Nahaliel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נַחֲלִיאֵ֑ל1×
- וּ/מִ/נַּחֲלִיאֵ֖ל1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 21:19
and from Mattanah to Nahaliel; and from Nahaliel to Bamoth;
This verse lists Nahaliel as a geographical station in Israel's itinerary, highlighting its role as a specific point of rest and divine encounter during their wilderness travels.