Ithiel אִיתִיאֵל
Mentioned in Agur's sayings; meaning uncertain.
Who is Ithiel in the Bible?
Ithiel appears in Proverbs 30:1 as a figure addressed by Agur son of Jakeh in his wisdom sayings. The exact identity and role of Ithiel remain uncertain, with scholars offering competing interpretations. Some suggest Ithiel was a student or disciple to whom Agur directed his teachings, while others propose that Ithiel may be another name or title for God, since the name means "God is with me." The cryptic nature of the passage and limited biblical information make it difficult to determine conclusively who Ithiel was, though the reference illustrates the interpretive challenges posed by some of the Bible's more enigmatic wisdom passages.
Biography
Ithiel is mentioned twice in Pro.30.1, which introduces the sayings of Agur son of Jakeh. The verse reads, "The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an inspired utterance. This man's utterance to Ithiel: 'I am weary, God, but I can prevail.'"
The exact meaning and context of Ithiel in this passage are unclear. Some scholars suggest that Ithiel might be a student or disciple of Agur, to whom he is imparting his wisdom. Others propose that Ithiel could be another name for God, as the name means "God is with me."
Given the uncertainty surrounding the identity of Ithiel and the cryptic nature of the passage, it is difficult to draw firm conclusions about this individual. The mention of Ithiel in this context highlights the challenges of interpreting some of the more enigmatic passages in the Bible and the importance of studying them carefully in light of the overall biblical message.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentProverbs 1 verse
- Proverbs 30:1
"These are the words of Agur son of Jakeh—the burden that this man declared to Ithiel: “I am weary, O God, and worn out."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אִיתִיאֵל | Ithiel , the name of an Israelite, also of a symbolical person |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | אִיתִיאֵל | Ithiel , the name of an Israelite, also of a symbolical person |