סַלּוּ
Sallu or Sallai, the name of two Israelites
Definition
The proper noun סַלּוּ (Çallûw) refers to two distinct individuals in the Old Testament, both Israelites. The first is Salu, the father of Zimri, a Simeonite leader who was executed for his role in the sin at Peor (Numbers 25:14). The second is a Benjamite named Sallu (or Sallai in some lists), who is recorded among the post-exilic inhabitants of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 9:7, Nehemiah 11:7). The variation in spelling (סַלּוּ, סַלּוּא, סָלוּא, סַלַּי) across different biblical manuscripts and translations reflects the fluidity of name transcription in ancient texts, but all refer to these same historical figures.
Biblical Usage
This name is used exclusively for individuals within genealogical and historical lists in the Old Testament. It appears in a narrative context only once, identifying the father of Zimri in Numbers 25:14. Its other five occurrences are in post-exilic records: once in 1 Chronicles 9:7 and four times in Nehemiah (Nehemiah 11:7, 11:8, 12:7, 12:20), where it denotes a Benjamite resident of Jerusalem. The usage pattern highlights its function in preserving tribal lineage and the continuity of the community after the Babylonian exile.
Etymology
The name derives from the Hebrew root סָלָה (salah, H5541), meaning 'to weigh' or 'to lift up.' As a proper name, סַלּוּ likely carries a sense of 'weighed' or perhaps 'exalted,' functioning as a personal theophoric name or a description of character. The variant forms (סַלּוּא, סָלוּא, סַלַּי) are common phonetic and orthographic adaptations seen in biblical names, all stemming from the same root concept.
Semantic Range
While primarily a personal name, its inclusion in scripture underscores the biblical value of individual identity within the covenant community. The mention of Salu in Numbers 25 connects a specific family to a pivotal moment of national sin and judgment, illustrating the corporate consequences of individual actions. The post-exilic listings of Sallu in Nehemiah highlight God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant and restoring Jerusalem, affirming that even lesser-known individuals have a recorded place in God's redemptive story.
In ancient Israelite culture, personal names often held significant meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or attributes of God. A name derived from 'to weigh' could imply a sense of being measured, valued, or judged. The preservation of such names in post-exilic lists was crucial for establishing lineage, land rights, and priestly or levitical duties, serving both practical legal purposes and theological remembrance of God's promises to the tribes.
No direct synonyms as a proper name. For the concept of 'weighed' from its root: סָלָה (salah, H5541) — the root verb meaning to weigh or lift up.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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