Shealtiel

Shealtiel is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "I have asked of God", from the roots שָׁאַל (shaʾal) meaning "to ask" and אֵל (ʾel) meaning "God". This theophoric name reflects gratitude for a child given in response to prayer.

Biblical Background

According to the Old Testament, Shealtiel (Hebrew: שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל, Šəʾaltīʾēl) is presented as the son of King Jeconiah (also known as Jehoiachin) of Judah, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 3:17–18. He is also named in the Gospel of Matthew 1:12 as an ancestor of Jesus Christ in the genealogy through Joseph. After the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem in 597 BC, Jeconiah, Shealtiel, and many Judahites were exiled to Babylon. During this captivity, Shealtiel was regarded as the second Exilarch (king-in-exile), succeeding his father.

Name Variants

Shealtiel appears in several forms across languages. In Koine Greek it is transliterated as Σαλαθιηλ (Salathiel), and in Biblical Latin as Salathihel. The original Biblical Hebrew is She'alti'el. These variants share the same core meaning and refer to the same historical and genealogical figure.

Cultural and Religious Significance

As an ancestor of Jesus in the Matthean genealogy, Shealtiel holds a place in Christian tradition. The name is rare in modern usage but persists within religious contexts. Its meaning—"I asked of God"—is a common formula in Hebrew naming conventions that express dependency on divine providence.

• Meaning: "I have asked of God"
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: First name
• Usage regions: English Bible, Biblical Hebrew
• Related names: Salathiel, She'alti'el, Salathihel