5417. Nethanel
Lexical Summary
Nethanel: God has given

Original Word: נְתַנְאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Nthane'l
Pronunciation: neh-tha-NEHL
Phonetic Spelling: (neth-an-ale')
KJV: Nethaneel
NASB: Nethanel
Word Origin: [from H5414 (נָתַן - give) and H410 (אֵל - God)]

1. given of God
2. Nethanel, the name of ten Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Nethaneel

From nathan and 'el; given of God; Nethanel, the name of ten Israelites -- Nethaneel.

see HEBREW nathan

see HEBREW 'el

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from nathan and el
Definition
"given of God," the name of a number of Isr.
NASB Translation
Nethanel (14).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
נְתַנְאֵל proper name, masculine (see GrayProp. N. 181, 192, 205; on proper names of this kind compare RSSem i. 100 n., 2nd ed. 108, GrayProp. N. 264); — ᵐ5 Ναθαναηλ; —

1 a chief of Issachar Numbers 1:8; Numbers 2:5; Numbers 7:18,23; Numbers 10:15.

2 4th son of Jesse 1 Chronicles 2:14.

3 name of priests:

a. 1 Chronicles 15:24.

b. Nehemiah 12:21.

4 priest's son (who had strange wife) Ezra 10:22, perhaps = Nehemiah 12:36.

5 Levite name:

a. 1 Chronicles 24:6.

b. 1 Chronicles 26:4.

c.2Chronicles 35:9.

6 a prince of Jehoshaphat2Chronicles 17:7.

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scope of the Name

Nethanel, “gift of God,” identifies ten separate men whose combined fourteen mentions span the Torah, the historical books, and the post-exilic records. Though individually diverse, every bearer of the name is portrayed in settings where God’s covenant grace is imparted to His people—whether through tribal oversight, royal lineage, Levitical worship, or prophetic reform.

1. Tribal Leadership in the Wilderness (Numbers 1:8; 2:5; 7:18, 23; 10:15)

Nethanel son of Zuar serves as chief of Issachar throughout Israel’s wilderness years. His repeated appearance beside the princes of the other tribes underscores Issachar’s full participation in the census, encampment, offerings, and march. “His offering was one silver dish…” (Numbers 7:19) exemplifies a willing generosity reflective of his name. Because Issachar later supplies “understanding of the times” (1 Chronicles 12:32), the prince’s early faithfulness forms part of God’s preparation for Israel’s discernment.

2. A Brother of David (1 Chronicles 2:14)

Listed fourth among Jesse’s eight sons, Nethanel belongs to the immediate household from which the Lord raises up King David. Though not spotlighted in the narrative, the inclusion of his name confirms the historicity of David’s family and reinforces the messianic genealogies.

3. Priests before the Ark (1 Chronicles 15:24)

During the joyous procession of the ark to Jerusalem, “Nethanel, Obed-edom, and Jeiel were to sound the trumpets before the ark of God”. This Levite priest ministers in the very act that unites worship with the Davidic covenant, foreshadowing the enduring centrality of God’s presence among His people.

4. Levitical Administration and Record-Keeping (1 Chronicles 24:6)

A second Levitical Nethanel, son of Shemaiah, serves as scribe alongside the king’s secretary in the casting of lots for the priestly divisions. His involvement testifies to orderly stewardship of temple service and to the shared responsibility between royal and priestly spheres.

5. Gatekeeping and Household Blessing (1 Chronicles 26:4)

Among the sons of Obed-Edom, Nethanel is appointed gatekeeper. The family that once hosted the ark becomes custodians of its precincts, exemplifying how faithful hospitality leads to enduring ministry.

6. Teaching in Jehoshaphat’s Reforms (2 Chronicles 17:7)

When Jehoshaphat sends teachers “to instruct in the Book of the Law of the LORD,” the Levite Nethanel is named first. His itinerant preaching contributes to the spiritual awakening that brings surrounding nations to fear the Lord (17:10). The verse sets a biblical precedent for organized doctrinal instruction.

7. Organizing Josiah’s Passover (2 Chronicles 35:9)

Centuries later, another Levite Nethanel joins others in providing “two hundred and sixty sheep and goats” for the Passover offerings. His generosity supports one of the most thorough covenant renewals in Judah’s history, linking sacrificial provision with heartfelt reform.

8. Post-exilic Priesthood: Purity Tested and Restored (Ezra 10:22; Nehemiah 12:21, 36)

A Nethanel of the family of Pashhur is listed among priests who marry foreign wives. His presence in the repentance narrative illustrates the tension between priestly privilege and personal holiness. A generation later, priests named Nethanel take part in Nehemiah’s covenant ceremony and in the musical procession around Jerusalem’s wall, marking a full circle from compromise to consecration.

Patterns and Theological Themes

• Covenant Leadership From wilderness prince to post-exilic priest, each Nethanel functions within covenantal structures—tribal, royal, or ecclesiastical—demonstrating God’s use of appointed leaders to maintain order and blessing.
• Worship and Word Whether sounding trumpets, guarding gates, or teaching the Law, the name repeatedly appears at intersections of worship and Scripture, highlighting their inseparability in Israel’s life.
• Grace amid Reform Occurrences in Jehoshaphat’s and Josiah’s revivals, as well as Ezra’s repentance, show that divine gifts are not static; they call recipients to ongoing fidelity and reform.

Practical Reflections

1. God’s gifts carry responsibility. The “gift of God” motif calls every believer to steward God-given roles in service to the covenant community.
2. Faithful anonymity still matters. Several Nethanels labor without personal stories, reminding readers that unseen service contributes to redemptive history.
3. Holiness safeguards ministry. The priest of Ezra 10:22 cautions today’s leaders that compromise threatens both witness and worship, yet repentance can restore useful service.

Summary

Across fourteen Old Testament occurrences, Nethanel marks points where God’s gracious provision equips His people for leadership, worship, teaching, and renewal. The varied men who bear the name collectively testify that every divine gift is intended to further God’s redemptive purposes among His covenant people.

Forms and Transliterations
וְלִנְתַנְאֵ֖ל וּנְתַנְאֵ֖ל וּנְתַנְאֵ֜ל וּנְתַנְאֵ֡ל ולנתנאל ונתנאל נְתַנְאֵ֔ל נְתַנְאֵ֖ל נְתַנְאֵ֣ל נְתַנְאֵ֤ל נְתַנְאֵ֨ל נְתַנְאֵֽל׃ נְתַנְאֵל֙ נתנאל נתנאל׃ nə·ṯan·’êl nəṯan’êl netanEl ū·nə·ṯan·’êl ūnəṯan’êl unetanEl velintanEl wə·lin·ṯan·’êl wəlinṯan’êl
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Numbers 1:8
HEB: לְיִ֨שָּׂשכָ֔ר נְתַנְאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ צוּעָֽר׃
NAS: of Issachar, Nethanel the son of Zuar;
KJV: Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son
INT: of Issachar Nethanel the son of Zuar

Numbers 2:5
HEB: לִבְנֵ֣י יִשָּׂשכָ֔ר נְתַנְאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ צוּעָֽר׃
NAS: of Issachar: Nethanel the son
KJV: of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son
INT: of the sons of Issachar Nethanel the son of Zuar

Numbers 7:18
HEB: הַשֵּׁנִ֔י הִקְרִ֖יב נְתַנְאֵ֣ל בֶּן־ צוּעָ֑ר
NAS: day Nethanel the son
KJV: day Nethaneel the son
INT: the second presented Nethanel the son of Zuar

Numbers 7:23
HEB: זֶ֛ה קָרְבַּ֥ן נְתַנְאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ צוּעָֽר׃
NAS: [was] the offering of Nethanel the son
KJV: this [was] the offering of Nethaneel the son
INT: This the offering of Nethanel the son of Zuar

Numbers 10:15
HEB: בְּנֵ֣י יִשָׂשכָ֑ר נְתַנְאֵ֖ל בֶּן־ צוּעָֽר׃
NAS: and Nethanel the son of Zuar,
KJV: of Issachar [was] Nethaneel the son
INT: the son of Issachar and Nethanel of the sons of Zuar

1 Chronicles 2:14
HEB: נְתַנְאֵל֙ הָֽרְבִיעִ֔י רַדַּ֖י
NAS: Nethanel the fourth, Raddai
KJV: Nethaneel the fourth, Raddai
INT: Nethanel the fourth Raddai

1 Chronicles 15:24
HEB: וּשְׁבַנְיָ֡הוּ וְיֽוֹשָׁפָ֡ט וּנְתַנְאֵ֡ל וַעֲמָשַׂ֡י וּ֠זְכַרְיָהוּ
NAS: Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai,
KJV: and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai,
INT: Shebaniah and Jehoshaphat Nethanel Amasai Zechariah

1 Chronicles 24:6
HEB: שְֽׁמַֽעְיָה֩ בֶן־ נְתַנְאֵ֨ל הַסּוֹפֵ֜ר מִן־
NAS: the son of Nethanel the scribe,
KJV: the son of Nethaneel the scribe,
INT: Shemaiah the son of Nethanel the scribe from

1 Chronicles 26:4
HEB: וְשָׂכָ֣ר הָרְבִיעִ֔י וּנְתַנְאֵ֖ל הַחֲמִישִֽׁי׃
NAS: Sacar the fourth, Nethanel the fifth,
KJV: the fourth, and Nethaneel the fifth,
INT: Sacar the fourth Nethanel the fifth

2 Chronicles 17:7
HEB: וּלְעֹבַדְיָ֣ה וְלִזְכַרְיָ֔ה וְלִנְתַנְאֵ֖ל וּלְמִיכָיָ֑הוּ לְלַמֵּ֖ד
NAS: Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah,
KJV: and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah,
INT: Obadiah Zechariah Nethanel and Micaiah to teach

2 Chronicles 35:9
HEB: ק) וּשְׁמַֽעְיָ֨הוּ וּנְתַנְאֵ֜ל אֶחָ֗יו וַחֲשַׁבְיָ֧הוּ
NAS: also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers,
KJV: also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren,
INT: Conaniah and Shemaiah and Nethaneel his brethren and Hashabiah

Ezra 10:22
HEB: מַֽעֲשֵׂיָה֙ יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל נְתַנְאֵ֔ל יוֹזָבָ֖ד וְאֶלְעָשָֽׂה׃
NAS: Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad
KJV: Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad,
INT: Maaseiah Ishmael Nethanel Jozabad and Elasah

Nehemiah 12:21
HEB: חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה לִֽידַֽעְיָ֖ה נְתַנְאֵֽל׃
NAS: Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel.
KJV: Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel.
INT: Hashabiah of Jedaiah Nethanel

Nehemiah 12:36
HEB: גִּֽלֲלַ֡י מָעַ֞י נְתַנְאֵ֤ל וִֽיהוּדָה֙ חֲנָ֔נִי
NAS: Maai, Nethanel, Judah
KJV: Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah,
INT: Gilalai Maai Nethanel Judah Hanani

14 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5417
14 Occurrences


nə·ṯan·’êl — 10 Occ.
ū·nə·ṯan·’êl — 3 Occ.
wə·lin·ṯan·’êl — 1 Occ.

5416
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