Interesting Facts

• Jahzeel is listed as a son of Naphtali.
• His name appears in the enumeration of Naphtali’s sons who went with Jacob into Egypt.
• The spelling of his name varies across the sources, appearing as Jahzeel, Jachzeel, and Jahziel.

Genealogy

• Jahzeel’s father was Naphtali, one of the sons of Jacob and Bilhah.
• His mother was Merimah (also known as Rasu’u), the daughter of Amuram, the son of Uz, the son of Nahor.
• His brothers, as listed in the sources, were Guni, Jezer (or Jazer), and Shillem (or Shallum).

Historical Context

Jahzeel’s life is situated within the context of the descent of Jacob and his entire household into Egypt due to a severe famine in the land of Canaan. This migration was a pivotal event, setting the stage for the Israelite sojourn in Egypt. Jahzeel, being a son of Naphtali, was part of this extended family that sought refuge and sustenance in the land governed by Pharaoh and overseen by Joseph. The cultural dynamics would involve the integration of Jacob’s family, who maintained their distinct Hebrew identity and traditions, within the established Egyptian society and governance. The blessings bestowed upon Jacob and his sons by Isaac and Rebekah and later by Jacob himself would have provided a spiritual backdrop to their lives, even amidst the challenges of a foreign land.

Narrative

Jahzeel’s individual narrative within the provided sources is limited primarily to his inclusion in the genealogical lists of those who journeyed to Egypt with Jacob. He is mentioned as one of the sons born to Naphtali in the land of Canaan before the family’s descent. His presence in these lists signifies his participation in this crucial migration, becoming one of the initial members of the Israelite community in Egypt. While the texts do not detail any specific actions or dialogues involving Jahzeel, his existence is recorded as part of the lineage that contributed to the eventual growth and establishment of the tribes of Israel. His story is thus embedded within the larger narrative of Jacob’s family seeking refuge and the subsequent unfolding of their destiny in Egypt under the providential hand of the Divine.