Nemuel נְמוּאֵל
Son of Eliab, from the tribe of Reuben.
Who is Nemuel in the Bible?
Nemuel refers to two different biblical figures, both mentioned briefly in scripture. The first Nemuel was a son of Eliab from the tribe of Reuben, mentioned in Numbers 26:9 during the census Moses conducted in the plains of Moab near the end of Israel's wilderness wandering. The second Nemuel was a son of Simeon, referenced in Numbers 26:12 and 1 Chronicles 4:24, and also appears under the alternate spelling "Jemuel" in Genesis 46:10 and Exodus 6:15. Both individuals are recorded primarily as genealogical entries in the census lists used to allocate land among the Israelite tribes, with no further details provided about their personal roles or significance in biblical history.
Biography
Nemuel is briefly mentioned in Num.26.9 as one of the sons of Eliab, who was a descendant of Reuben, the firstborn son of Israel (or 'Jacob'). This reference occurs in the context of the census taken by Moses and Eleazar in the plains of Moab, near the end of the Israelites' forty years of wandering in the wilderness.
The census was conducted to determine the number of men aged twenty and above who were able to serve in the army (Num.26.2). The results of the census were also used to allocate the land of Canaan among the tribes of Israel.
In the listing of the clans and families of the tribe of Reuben, Nemuel is identified as one of the sons of Eliab, along with his brothers Dathan and Abiram. However, no further details are provided about Nemuel's life or role within the tribe.
It is worth noting that Nemuel's brothers, Dathan and Abiram, are infamously known for their rebellion against Moses and Aaron, as recorded in Numbers 16. They, along with Korah, challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron and were ultimately punished by God for their insubordination.
The mention of Nemuel in the genealogical record of Reuben serves to provide a complete account of the families within the tribe and to highlight the importance of lineage in the organization and inheritance of the Israelite community.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookNumbers 1 verse
- Numbers 26:9
"and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the congregation, who rebelled against Moses and Aaron with the followers of Korah who rebelled against the LORD."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | נְמוּאֵל |
Nemuel
ubenite, brother of Dathan and Abiram (Nu 26:9).
(2) A son of Simeon (Nu 26:12; 1Ch 4:24). The name occurs also in the form "Jemuel" (Ge 46:10; Ex 6:15). According to Gray (Studies in Hebrew Proper Names), either form is etymologically obscure; but Nemuel is probably correct, for it is easier to account for its corruption into Jemuel than vice versa. The patronymic Nemuelites occurs once (Nu 26:12).