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Shaul

שָׁאוּל/SHAH-ool/

“Asked or requested”

Summary

The Hebrew form of Saul, used in English translations for three individuals distinct from King Saul: a son of Simeon, a king of Edom, and a Kohathite Levite.

☩Son of Simeon

The first Shaul was a son of Simeon by a Canaanite woman, distinguishing him from his half-brothers who were of pure Israelite stock. He became the founder of the Shaulite clan within the tribe of Simeon. Jewish tradition identifies him with Zimri who later committed immorality with a Midianite woman at Shittim, though this identification is speculative.

Key verses:Genesis 46:10Exodus 6:15Numbers 26:131 Chronicles 4:24

☩King of Edom

The second Shaul was 'Shaul of Rehoboth by the River,' one of the early kings of Edom who reigned before any king ruled over Israel. He succeeded Samlah as king and was in turn succeeded by Baal-hanan son of Achbor. In Genesis 36:37, this same king is called Saul in the Authorized Version.

Key verses:1 Chronicles 1:48-49Genesis 36:37-38

☩The Levite

A third Shaul was a Kohathite Levite, the son of Uzziah, listed in the ancestry of Samuel's family. In 1 Chronicles 6:36, this individual appears to be called Joel, suggesting either a textual variant or an alternate name.

Key verses:1 Chronicles 6:24

Related Verses8 mentions

1 Chronicles· 4 verses

1:481:494:246:24

Genesis· 2 verses

36:3746:10

Exodus· 1 verse

6:15

Numbers· 1 verse

26:13

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shaul," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.James Orr (ed.), "Shaul; Shaulites," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
  3. 3.George Morrish, "Shaul," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).