Lael

Lael is a masculine personal name of Hebrew origin, meaning “of God” or “belonging to God.” It appears in the Old Testament as a minor figure, the father of Eliasaph from the house of Gershon, as recorded in Numbers 3:24. In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible), the name is misspelled as Δαήλ (Dael).

Etymologically, Lael is composed of two Hebrew elements: the preposition lamed (“to” or “of”) and El, the common Semitic word for God. Thus, Lael is a theophoric name, reflecting the parents’ devotion to or relationship with the divine.

While the biblical figure of Lael is not elaborated upon beyond his parentage, the name itself fits a pattern of Old Testament names that incorporate the divine name or title, such as El (meaning “power, might”). Related names outside the Bible include Allah (the Arabic word for God) and Ilu (the common Semitic term for deity in ancient Akkadian and Ugaritic).

Notable Bearers

The only attested bearer of Lael is the figure in the Hebrew Bible mentioned in the Book of Numbers. He is a member of the tribe of Levi, specifically from the Gershonite clan. His son Eliasaph is listed as the leader of the Gershonites during the wilderness wanderings. No other prominent individuals named Lael have been recorded in historical sources, though the name has been occasionally adopted in modern times, particularly within religious contexts.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The name Lael illustrates the consistent theme in ancient Hebrew naming practices of expressing allegiance to the God of Israel. By identifying a child as “belonging to God,” parents imbued the name with a sense of purpose and covenant relationship. This name fits well among other similar Old Testament names such as Laadah, Lahmi, and Laish, all of which appear among marginal figures within the tribal narratives.

Although rare, the modern grammar of the name has drawn attention for its cross-cultural recognizability due to its resemblance to the word “El.” In contemporary usage, Lael may appeal to parents seeking a biblical name that honors heritage while remaining simple and unique.

• Meaning: “Of God” or “Belonging to God”
• Origin: Hebrew, from theophoric compound lamed + El
• First known bearer: Father of Eliasaph of the Gershonite clan (Numbers 3:24)
• Language: Classical Hebrew