Jehiel

Etymology and Meaning

Jehiel is an English Bible form of the Hebrew name Yechi'el, meaning "God will live" or "May God live." It is composed of two elements: ḥaya, meaning "to live," and ʾel, the Hebrew word for "God." The name appears several times in the Old Testament, most notably as one of King David's lute players, as recorded in the First Book of Chronicles.

Biblical and Historical References

In the Hebrew Bible, Jehiel is listed among the Levites who served in the Temple during the time of David. The name also appears in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, referring to individuals involved in post-exilic restoration. These biblical mentions have contributed to the name's enduring use within Jewish communities throughout history.

Notable Bearers

Historically, the name has been borne by various Jewish scholars and leaders. Modern figures include Yehiel Bar, an Israeli politician; Yechiel Eckstein, an American rabbi and founder of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews; and Yehiel De-Nur, a Polish-born Israeli writer and Holocaust survivor known for his testimony at the Adolf Eichmann trial. Variants of the name are common among Ashkenazi Jews, with Yiddish forms including Ichel and Cheil.

Related Names and Variants

The name has several linguistic variants, including Yechiel (standard Hebrew) and Yehiel. In Yiddish, it may take forms such as Cheil or Chil. Jehiel is the anglicized version often found in English Bible translations.

Key Facts

• Meaning: "God will live"
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: First name (male)
• Usage regions: English Bible, Jewish communities worldwide
• Usage periods: Ancient (biblical) to present