Meaning & History
'Izevel is the original Hebrew form of the name Jezebel, as it appears in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). The name derives from the Phoenician elements, likely originating from the Semitic root zbl meaning "to exalt" or "to dwell." Some scholars propose that 'Izevel may be an altered version of the Phoenician name Baʿlʾizbel, meaning "Ba'al exalts," with the theophoric element referring to the god Ba'al removed or modified. This name is steeped in biblical narrative and has historically carried a strongly negative connotation.
Biblical Context
According to the Old Testament, 'Izevel (Jezebel) was the Phoenician wife of King Ahab of Israel. She is portrayed as a malevolent figure who promoted the worship of Ba'al, the primary deity of the Phoenician city-states, over the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Her actions are recorded in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings, where she persecutes the prophets of Yahweh and orchestrates the murder of Naboth to seize his vineyard. The biblical account describes her death as a fulfillment of the prophecy given by the prophet Elijah: she was thrown from a window and her body was devoured by dogs.
Linguistic and Cultural Notes
The name 'Izevel appears in various forms across different languages and biblical translations. In the Greek Septuagint, it is rendered as Iezabel, while the Latin Vulgate uses Jezabel (later anglicized to Jezebel). The forms Isebel, Izebel, and Gezabele appear in other language versions. Despite the original unknown Phoenician meaning possibly signifying nobility or connection to Ba'al, the biblical portrayal has turned the name into a byword for a wicked, manipulative, or scheming woman in many cultures.
- Meaning: Possibly "exalted" or "Ba'al exalts"
- Origin: Phoenician (via Hebrew)
- Type: First name
- Usage: Hebrew Bible