1) The Midrash (Bereshis Rabah 94:8) states that he was called Yachtze'el because "she'Chitzu Elohus bi'Yadan," "they shattered the Avoda Zarah with their hands." The Yefeh To'ar writes that the word "Chitzu" is derived from the word "Machatzah" (Shoftim 5:26), "to smite." Yachtze'el was outstanding for his zealousness in destroying idol-worship.

2) The Midrash Rabah adds that the name also hints to "v'Hen Metzachtzetzin b'Shineihem" -- "they are polished with their teeth" ("Chatz" in Yachtze'el hints to "Metzachtzetzin"). Yachtze'el's struggle against idol-worship was not only physical; he was also an eloquent orator who exposed the follies of Avodah Zarah and scorned idol-worship with his lips.

3) The Midrash Sechel Tov writes that the name hints to "she'Nismochechu b'Mechitzas Kel." Yachtze'el is connected to "Mechitzah." Yachtze'el was "humble in the partition of Hash-m." His humility enabled him to become close to Hash-m.

4) The Tzror ha'Mor (a Sefer on Chumash written by Rav Avraham Saba, who was driven out of Spain in the 1492 expulsion and died in Italy in the midde of the 16th century) explains "she'Asu Chatzitzah Bein ha'Kadosh Baruch Hu l'Avodah Zarah she'Batchu beha'Kadosh Baruch Hu u'Ma'asu b'Avodah Zarah." The name Yachtze'el is connected to the word "Chatzitzah." Yachtze'el made a separation between Hash-m and idol-worship. He always trusted in Hash-m and despised foreign gods.

According to all of the above interpretations, we see that Yachtze'el was a big Tzadik, so it is not surprising that Rashi uses his name as an example.

Kol Tuv,

Dovid Bloom