 The biblical Nathanael depicted in stained glass. | |
| Pronunciation | /nəˈθæniəl/ |
|---|---|
| Gender | Masculine |
| Origin | |
| Word/name | Hebrew |
| Meaning | "God has given" or "Gift of God" |
| Other names | |
| Nickname(s) | Nat, Nate |
| Related names | Jonathan, Nathan, Nathaniel |
Nathanael is a biblical given name derived from the Hebrew נְתַנְאֵל (Netan'el), which means "God/El has given" or "Gift of God/El."[1] Nathaniel is the variant form of this name and it stands to this day as the usual and most common spelling for a masculine given name. Other variants include Nathanel, Netanel and Nathanial.
Several figures in the Bible bear forms of this name. In the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), the name is shared by a prince (or chieftain) of the Tribe of Issachar (Numbers 7:18–23, in the Naso parsha)[2] and by a brother of King David (1 Chronicles 2:14).[3] In the New Testament, Nathanael is said to be an early follower of Jesus of Nazareth, according to the Gospel of John (1:45; 21:2).
The related name Elnathan could be rendered "Gift of El" (Hebrew God). Four people named Elnathan are mentioned in the Hebrew Bible: one at 2 Kings 24:8, and three in Ezra 8:15–20. A similar ancient name with the same meaning as Elnathan, is Jonathan which signifies "YHWH has given".
- ^ Hanks, Patrick, et al. Oxford Dictionary of First Names (Second Edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. Print.
- ^ "The Dilemma of Nisanel ben Tzuar". Torah.org. 7 June 2002. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
- ^ Simmons, Rabbi Shraga (January 2007). "Boys' Names". aish.com. Retrieved 2019-02-12.