שָׁאוּלִי (sha.u.li)
sha.u.li
Shaulite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The Hebrew word sha’uli functions as a gentilic adjective meaning "Shaulite" or belonging to the clan of Shaul. It identifies a specific lineage within the tribe of Simeon, tracing back to Shaul, one of Simeon’s sons mentioned in Genesis 46:10. The term appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, serving as a precise label for this family group.
In Numbers 26:13, the text lists the "Shaulites" alongside other clans like the Shimrites and the Shulammites during the second census in the wilderness. This usage highlights how Israelite society organized itself into distinct familial units for administrative and inheritance purposes. The name Shaul itself carries the meaning of "asked for" or "desired," linking this clan’s identity to a personal name rather than a geographic location.
Although the word occurs just once, it preserves the memory of early tribal divisions within Simeon. By naming the group after its ancestor, the text maintains a clear genealogical record that connects the wilderness generation back to the patriarchal families listed in Genesis. This single reference ensures that the Shaulite clan remains identifiable within the broader structure of the twelve tribes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shaul means "asked for," and this single Hebrew word preserves that meaning in Numbers 26:13. It marks a specific family line within the tribe of Simeon, showing how God kept detailed records of His people. This genealogy reminds us that our names and histories matter to Him.
Even though this clan appears only once in Scripture, its inclusion shows that every family line is part of God’s larger story. We are not forgotten individuals but members of a community known by name. This truth brings comfort, knowing that God values each person and their heritage.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Shaulite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/שָּׁאוּלִֽי\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 26:13
of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites; of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.
This verse identifies the Shaulites as a distinct family group within Simeon during the census, preserving their lineage for inheritance purposes.