שְׁאָל (she.al)
she.al
Sheal
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Sha’al, meaning "asking," appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in Ezra 10:29. It identifies one of the sons of Bani, a man who confessed to having married a foreign woman during the post-exilic period.
This single occurrence places Sha’al within a specific historical moment when returning exiles were re-establishing their community identity. The name itself suggests a characteristic or perhaps a prayerful hope for inquiry and understanding, though its primary function here is simply to list his lineage among those who took steps to resolve intermarriage issues.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Sha’al appears only once in Scripture, tucked into a list of names in Ezra 10:29. It belongs to a son of Bani, one of many men who took steps to address intermarriage after the exile. While the verse records his name simply as part of a genealogy, the meaning behind it carries weight. Sha’al means asking or inquiry.
For you, this word reminds us that seeking understanding is a valid and necessary part of faith. In times of community change or personal confusion, we are not expected to have all the answers immediately. Instead, we are invited to ask questions, seek guidance, and pursue clarity. This act of asking reflects a heart that desires to align with God’s will.
Though Sha’al is just one name in a long list, his presence shows that every individual matters in God’s story. Whether you are navigating a difficult season or simply trying to understand your place in the church, remember that seeking truth is a form of worship. May you find peace in the journey of inquiry.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Sheal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/שְׁאָ֥ל1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 10:29
Of the sons of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth.
This verse lists Sha’al among the sons of Bani who confessed to foreign marriages, highlighting his role in a specific historical moment of community reformation.