שְׁמוּאֵל (she.mu.el)
she.mu.el
Samuel
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 118 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shemuel, rendered in English as Samuel, means "heard of God" or "his name is El." It combines a root related to hearing with the divine element El. This etymology appears explicitly in 1 Samuel 1:20, where Hannah names her son after praying for a child and receiving an answer from heaven.
While the name belongs to three distinct figures in Scripture, it primarily identifies the prophet who anointed Israel's first two kings. He serves as a pivotal bridge between the era of judges and the monarchy, guiding the nation through Saul’s reign and into David’s rise. The name also appears for a Levite singer in 1 Chronicles and a tribal leader in Numbers, but the prophet remains the central figure associated with this designation.
Translators consistently use "Samuel" for the Hebrew Shemuel, preserving the connection to divine attention. The name underscores a theological theme of God listening to the prayers of the faithful, particularly through Hannah’s dedication of her son to service in the tabernacle.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Samuel carries a quiet weight in Scripture, rooted in Hannah’s prayer. She named him because she asked for him from the Lord, yet the linguistic structure suggests he was heard by God. This duality reminds us that our prayers are not just requests sent into silence; they are heard and held by God. When we bring our deepest needs to Him, He pays attention.
Samuel’s life shows how this divine hearing shapes a person. As a boy in the temple, he learned to listen for God’s voice when it was rare in those days. His response, “Speak; for your servant hears,” became a model for faithful obedience. It was not about having all the answers, but about being present and ready to receive direction.
For you, this name offers comfort in seasons of waiting or uncertainty. Like Samuel, you may feel small or unsure, yet God calls you by name. His call is an invitation to trust that He is near, listening closely to your heart. You do not need to have everything figured out; you only need to be willing to hear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 118 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Samuel115×
- and/ Samuel14×
- to/ Samuel3×
- O Samuel3×
- [was] Samuel1×
- [are] Samuel1×
- Shemuel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל26×
- שְׁמוּאֵל֙23×
- שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל20×
- שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל10×
- שְׁמוּאֵ֑ל9×
- שְׁמוּאֵ֜ל7×
- שְׁמוּאֵ֛ל6×
- שְׁמוּאֵ֤ל5×
- שְׁמוּאֵ֣ל5×
- שְׁמוּאֵֽל\׃4×
- וּ/שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל3×
- וּ/שְׁמוּאֵ֕ל3×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 1:20
When the time had come, Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of Yahweh.”
This verse establishes the name’s origin, linking it directly to Hannah’s prayerful request for a child.
-
I Samuel 3:9
Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down. It shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, Yahweh; for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Samuel’s response here models the posture of a servant ready to receive God’s instruction with humility.
-
I Samuel 3:20
All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of Yahweh.
This occurrence marks the public recognition of Samuel as a prophet, showing how faithful listening leads to established authority.