Meaning & History
Raguel is a masculine given name appearing in Judeo-Christian-Islamic and English Bible traditions as a variant of Reuel. The name comes from Latin Raguhel, itself derived from the Hebrew name Reuel, meaning "friend of God" (Hebrew: reaʿ, friend + ʾel, God) or alternatively "El shall pasture" from Hebrew root rʿh (to pasture) and ʾel.
Etymology and Meaning
The name Raguel is closely linked to Reuel, which in the Old Testament appears in multiple contexts: as a son of Esau (Genesis 36:4), as a Gadite prince (Numbers 2:14, sometimes written Deuel), and most prominently as a name for Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses (Exodus 2:18). In some biblical versions, Raguel is used interchangeably with Reuel for this last figure. The corresponding Latin forms Raguhel and Rauhel appear in the Vulgate.
Role in Religious Texts
Beyond the biblical references, Raguel is also the name of an archangel in the apocryphal Book of Enoch, often considered one of the seven archangels. His role is to take vengeance on the world of the luminaries who have transgressed God's law. The angel Raguel is not part of the canonical Bible but has significance in various second temple Jewish texts and later Christian apocrypha.
Biblical Context: The Connection to Jethro
The etymological root of Raguel leads back to Reuel, which serves as an alternate name for Jethro (from Hebrew yiṯrō, meaning "abundance"). Jethro was a Midianite priest and the father of Zipporah, whom Moses married while in exile. Exodus 2:18 refers to "Reuel their father" (NIV: Reuel), while other translations use Raguel. This complex naming highlights the transmission of Hebrew names into Greek and Latin versions of Scripture, where several variants can coexist for the same figure.
Notable Bearers and Cultural Impact
The variant name Reuel is more widespread; a notable bearer is John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892–1973), author of The Lord of the Rings, who used Reuel as a middle name. Another prominent figure with this name is theologian Reuel K. L. Deng. While Raguel itself is rare, it appears in modern contexts as a name for artists or as a given name in communities focusing on biblical or angelological interests. The angelic form is also found in religious literature referencing the seven archangels.
Cultural and Comparative Onomastics
The linguistic pattern from Hebrew Reuel to Greek Rhagouel and Latin Raguhel/Rauhel reflects common adaptations when theophoric names (containing ʾel) entered Greek-speaking Christian communities. As a name living in scriptural translations, Raguel retains a niche appeal both for its scriptural connection and for its echo of angelic names like Raphael or Gabriel, sharing the ʾel (god) element.
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Reuel