שָׁאוּלִי
a Shaulite or descendant of Shaul
Definition
The Hebrew word שָׁאוּלִי (Shâʼûwlîy) is a patronymic noun meaning 'a Shaulite,' referring specifically to a descendant of Shaul. This term identifies a member of the Shaulite clan, which was part of the larger tribe of Simeon. The word functions solely as a genealogical and tribal designation, with no other attested meanings or senses in the biblical text. Its single occurrence in Numbers 26:13 serves to list the Shaulites among the Simeonite families counted in the second census of Israel.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in the context of a tribal census. It appears in Numbers 26:13 as part of the detailed genealogy of the tribe of Simeon, following the list of Simeon's sons. The usage is purely administrative and genealogical, documenting the clan divisions within the tribe at a specific point in Israel's wilderness journey. No other books or contexts employ this term.
Etymology
The word שָׁאוּלִי is a standard Hebrew patronymic formation, derived from the proper name שָׁאוּל (Shaul, H7856), which means 'asked for' or 'borrowed.' The suffix '-ִי' (-iy) is added to the name to indicate descent or belonging, meaning 'of Shaul' or 'descendant of Shaul.' This is the same grammatical pattern used for many other Israelite clan names (e.g., Danites from Dan).
Semantic Range
In ancient Israelite culture, clan and tribal identity were of paramount importance for inheritance, military organization, and social structure. Being identified as a 'Shaulite' placed an individual within a specific lineage of the tribe of Simeon. This designation connected them to the covenant promises given to the tribes of Israel and determined their share in the land. The single record in a census underscores the biblical value of preserving the identity and continuity of each family line within God's people.
שִׁמְעוֹנִי (Shimʻônîy, H8099) — A broader term for a member of the tribe of Simeon, whereas שָׁאוּלִי specifies a sub-clan within that tribe.
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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