Σαμουήλ (Samouēl)
Samouēl
Samuel
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Samouēl refers to the biblical figure known in English as Samuel, the son of Elkanah and Hannah. The sources indicate that his name carries the meaning "his name is of God," a fitting description for the man who served as both a prophet and the last judge of Israel before its monarchy was established.
Samuel holds a pivotal place in biblical history as the one who anointed Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David. This transition from tribal judges to a monarchy marks a significant shift in the narrative of God’s people. The sources highlight his role as a founder of the prophetic order, bridging the era of judges with the rise of the kings.
In the New Testament, Samuel is mentioned only three times, appearing in Acts and Hebrews. In Acts 3:24, he is cited alongside other prophets as part of the lineage through whom God’s promises were fulfilled. Similarly, Acts 13:20 references him in a summary of Israel’s history leading up to the kings. Hebrewb 11:32 includes him among the heroes of faith listed in the "Hall of Faith," recognizing his steadfast trust in God despite the challenges of his time.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Samuel means "heard by God," a fitting title for a man whose mother prayed fervently for a child and whose life demonstrated that God listens deeply to the cries of His people. In the New Testament, he is remembered not just as a historical judge, but as a prophet who pointed forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises. When Peter speaks in Acts 3, he places Samuel in the line of witnesses who declared that the coming of Christ was the center of Israel’s story.
Hebrews 11 highlights Samuel among the heroes of faith, showing us that trust in God is not limited to one era but spans generations. His inclusion reminds us that faithful obedience, even in times of national transition, matters deeply to God. We are invited to see our own lives as part of this same long story of divine faithfulness.
Whether you are navigating personal uncertainty or wondering about your place in God’s plan, the example of Samuel encourages patience and prayer. It is comforting to know that the God who heard Hannah’s prayer continues to hear us today, guiding His people through every season with grace and purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Samuel3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Σαμουὴλ3×
Key Verses
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Acts 3:24
Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those who followed after, as many as have spoken, also told of these days.
This verse positions Samuel as the starting point of a prophetic lineage that explicitly foretold the coming of Christ, linking Old Testament hope to New Testament fulfillment.
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Hebrews 11:32
What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets—
Samuel is listed among the heroes of faith, demonstrating that his steadfast trust in God qualifies him as a model for believers across all ages.
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Acts 13:20
After these things, he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
Paul uses Samuel to mark the end of the period of judges and the beginning of the monarchy, showing how God’s leadership shifted through specific historical moments.