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Jahzeel

biblical_proper_name theological_term standard

Jahzeel is a biblical proper name. In Scripture, Jahzeel is listed as a son of Naphtali and as the ancestor of the Jahzeelite clan.

At a Glance

Biblical proper name for one of Naphtali’s sons and the clan that descended from him.

Key Points

Description

Jahzeel is a biblical proper name found in the genealogical records of Israel. Genesis 46:24 lists Jahzeel as one of the sons of Naphtali, and 1 Chronicles 7:13 repeats his place in the tribal genealogy. Numbers 26:48 refers to the Jahzeelite clan, reflecting the continuation of that family line within Israel. Scripture does not present Jahzeel as a theological concept or as a figure with a developed narrative role; rather, the name serves to preserve Israel’s covenant family history and tribal organization.

Biblical Context

Jahzeel appears in the patriarchal genealogies that trace the sons of Jacob and the later tribal structure of Israel. Such lists help identify inheritance lines, clan membership, and covenant continuity among the people of God.

Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, genealogies were used to preserve family identity, tribal affiliation, and land inheritance rights. Jahzeel’s appearance in these lists reflects that historical function.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Within ancient Israel, clan names mattered for census records, military organization, and inheritance within the tribal system. The Jahzeelite clan would have been understood as part of Naphtali’s tribal lineage.

Primary Key Texts

Original Language Note

A Hebrew personal name; the exact etymology is uncertain in this entry and is not essential to its biblical identification.

Theological Significance

Jahzeel has no independent doctrinal meaning, but his place in Scripture supports the reliability of biblical genealogies and the continuity of Israel’s covenant history.

Philosophical Explanation

As a proper name in a genealogy, Jahzeel functions as a historical identifier rather than as a concept to be defined philosophically or doctrinally.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not turn Jahzeel into a theological category. The main significance is genealogical and historical, not doctrinal.

Major Views

There is no major interpretive debate about Jahzeel himself. The only variation is in how translations render the related clan name in Numbers 26:48.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry should remain a historical-biblical identification. It should not be expanded into speculation about hidden meanings, allegory, or doctrine beyond the text.

Practical Significance

Genealogical names like Jahzeel remind readers that Scripture is rooted in real family history and covenant continuity, even in brief lists of names.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Jahzeel

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