שׁוּעָל (shu.al)
shu.al
Shual
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun shu.al primarily denotes the jackal, a wild canid known for scavenging and haunting ruins. In the biblical text, this term appears only twice, serving as both a personal name and a geographical label rather than a common noun describing the animal itself.
As a proper noun, Shual identifies an Asherite ancestor listed in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 7:36–39. He is the son of Zophah and father to Arah, Hanniel, and Rizia, with one verse noting he was also called Ulla. This usage suggests a name possibly derived from the animal, perhaps reflecting characteristics associated with the jackal in ancient Near Eastern culture.
The second occurrence refers to a district in the territory of Benjamin, located likely north of Michmash (1 Chronicles 8:7). While the exact boundaries are not detailed, the naming convention implies the area was known for its wild character or perhaps its suitability for such scavenging animals. The word’s rarity highlights how everyday nature terms were repurposed for identity and place in Israel’s history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shual appears in Scripture as a reminder that God’s family tree includes ordinary people whose lives may seem quiet or unremarkable to us. In the genealogies of Chronicles, this ancestor is listed simply as a link between generations, yet his inclusion shows that every member of Israel’s lineage matters to the Lord.
Even when a name derives from something like the jackal—a creature often associated with wild places—God does not discard it. Instead, He weaves these names into the broader story of His people. This invites us to trust that our own backgrounds, however humble or strange they might feel, are held within God’s careful plan and purpose.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Shual1×
- Shual1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שׁוּעָֽל\׃1×
- וְ/שׁוּעָ֖ל1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 7:36
The sons of Zophah: Suah, Harnepher, Shual, Beri, Imrah,
This verse lists Shual as a son of Zophah, anchoring the name in a specific ancestral line that preserves Israel's heritage.
-
I Samuel 13:17
The raiders came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned to the way that leads to Ophrah, to the land of Shual;
Here the term marks a geographic location near Ophrah, showing how local landmarks were identified by distinctive features of the land.