קְמוּאֵל (qe.mu.el)
qe.mu.el
Kemuel
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Qemuel means "raised up by God." It appears only three times in Scripture, each instance referring to a different man who shares this title. In Genesis 22:21, he is the son of Nahor and Milcah, making him a nephew of Abraham and an ancestor of the Aramean people through his son Aram.
Centuries later, the name reappears in Numbers 34:24 as Qemuel son of Shiphtan. He serves as the representative from the tribe of Ephraim for the task of dividing the Promised Land among the tribes. This placement highlights a role of administrative responsibility and trust within the community.
A third individual bearing this name appears in 1 Chronicles 27:17. He is listed as a Levite and the father of Hashabiah, who leads his people during the reign of King David. The recurrence of the name across these distinct eras suggests it was a recognized designation for those seen as divinely supported.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Qemuel carries a quiet but steady meaning: raised up by God. It appears only three times in Scripture, each instance pointing to someone who played a specific role in God’s unfolding story. Whether as an ancestor of the Aramean people or as a leader entrusted with dividing the Promised Land, those named Qemuel were positioned where their faithfulness mattered most.
This word reminds us that being raised up by God does not always mean standing in the spotlight. Sometimes it means serving behind the scenes, ensuring justice in land distribution, or leading a tribe with integrity. In Numbers 34:24, Kemuel son of Shiphtan is chosen to help allocate territory fairly among the tribes—a task requiring wisdom and trustworthiness.
For you today, this name offers comfort. God sees your quiet service, your steady presence in difficult moments, and your willingness to carry responsibility without fanfare. You are known by Him, even when no one else notices. His raising up is not always dramatic, but it is always purposeful.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Kemuel3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קְמוּאֵ֖ל3×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 22:21
Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram,
This verse identifies Kemuel as the father of Aram, linking him to Abraham’s family and showing how God’s covenant lineage extends through ordinary generations.
-
Numbers 34:24
Of the tribe of the children of Ephraim a prince, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan.
Here Kemuel son of Shiphtan is appointed as a prince from Ephraim to help divide the Promised Land, highlighting his role in a critical act of communal trust and fairness.
-
I Chronicles 27:17
of Levi, Hashabiah the son of Kemuel; of Aaron, Zadok;
In this list, Kemuel is noted as the father of Hashabiah, a Levite leader under David, showing how the name appears again in a time of organized worship and governance.