עָמָל (a.mal)
a.mal
Amal
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 Hebrew name עָמָל (ʿāmal) appears only once in the Bible, identifying a man from the tribe of Asher listed in 1 Chronicles 7:35. He is recorded as the son of Helem and brother to Zophah, Imna, and Shelesh. This genealogical entry places him during the era of the Divided Monarchy, preserving his name within the broader record of Israel’s tribal heritage.
Linguistically, the name derives from a root meaning "labor," "toil," or "affliction." While the verb עָמַל often describes physical exhaustion or the pain of work in other biblical contexts, here it functions solely as a proper noun. The name likely reflects a parental hope that their son would be strong enough to endure hardship, or perhaps acknowledges the struggles faced by the family.
Because this word occurs only as a personal name and not as a common noun in the text, its theological weight is minimal compared to other Hebrew words for toil. It serves primarily as a historical marker, linking one individual to his ancestors and siblings without offering further narrative or doctrinal insight beyond his place in the Asherite lineage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Amal comes from a Hebrew root that speaks of labor, toil, or hardship. In the ancient world, names were often chosen to reflect hopes for a child’s character or to acknowledge the realities of life. For this man in the tribe of Asher, his name likely served as a quiet reminder of endurance. It connects him to a lineage where strength was needed to face the challenges of their time.
While Amal appears only once in Scripture, his inclusion matters deeply. The Bible preserves the names of ordinary people alongside kings and prophets. This tells us that God cares about every individual within His family. Your own struggles and daily efforts are known to Him, just as He knew this ancestor. There is comfort in knowing that no life goes unnoticed in God’s record.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Amal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/עָמָֽל\׃1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 7:35
The sons of Helem his brother: Zophah, Imna, Shelesh, and Amal.
This verse lists Amal among the sons of Helem, preserving his identity within the tribal heritage of Asher.