Original Word: יְזַוְאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yzav'el
Pronunciation: yeh-zee-EL
Phonetic Spelling: (yez-av-ale')
KJV: Jeziel (from the margin)
NASB: Jeziel
Word Origin: [from an unused root (meaning to sprinkle) and H410 (אֵל - God)]

1. sprinkled of God
2. Jezavel, an Israelite

Jeziel

From an unused root (meaning to sprinkle) and 'el; sprinkled of God; Jezavel, an Israelite -- Jeziel (from the margin).

see HEBREW 'el

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
one of David's heroes
NASB Translation
Jeziel (1).

[יְזִיאֵל, יזואל] proper name, masculine one of David's heroes וִיזִו֯אֵל 1 Chronicles 12:3.

יִזִּיָּה see below נזה.

Scriptural Presence

Jeziel is mentioned once in the Old Testament within a roster of Benjamite warriors who defected to David while he was still a fugitive from King Saul: “the chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; Jeziel and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; Berachah, and Jehu the Anathothite” (1 Chronicles 12:3). His singular appearance places him among an elite company whose loyalty helped consolidate David’s kingdom.

Tribal and Familial Setting

The text identifies Jeziel as a son of Azmaveth, aligning him with the tribe of Benjamin—a tribe closely tied to Saul’s lineage. This connection underscores the remarkable nature of his allegiance: a Benjamite choosing David rather than remaining with Saul illustrates the early transfer of national confidence from the house of Saul to the house of David.

Role among David’s Early Supporters

The warriors listed in 1 Chronicles 12 arrived at Ziklag, “men who could use both the right hand and the left” (1 Chronicles 12:2), adept with sling and bow. Though no individual exploits are recorded for Jeziel, his inclusion signifies prowess, courage, and readiness for the coming battles that would establish David’s reign. These men provided critical military strength and moral encouragement during David’s most vulnerable season.

Historical Significance

1. Political Shift: Jeziel’s defection foreshadowed the national realignment soon to crown David as king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:1–3).
2. Tribal Unity: His presence helped weave Benjamin into the united monarchy, easing historic tensions between Benjamin and Judah.
3. Covenant Continuity: By standing with David—the messianic line—Jeziel participated in God’s unfolding promise of a ruler whose throne would endure forever (2 Samuel 7:16).

Ministry Implications

Jeziel serves as an emblem of decisive faithfulness. He highlights:
• Courage to break with misplaced loyalties when God’s purposes become clear.
• The importance of individual obedience in achieving corporate blessing; each Benjamite warrior contributed to Israel’s eventual peace and stability.
• God’s ability to raise help from unexpected quarters; even those formerly aligned with Saul became instruments in fulfilling divine prophecy regarding David.

Practical Application

Believers today may glean from Jeziel’s brief cameo that obscurity in Scripture does not equal insignificance in service. Faithfulness, even when recorded in only one verse, can carry enduring influence in the redemptive narrative.

וִיזִיאֵ֥ל ויזיאל viziEl wî·zî·’êl wîzî’êlInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts