Σαμουήλ
Samouḗl
G4545 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A masculine proper name, referring to the individual known in Israelite tradition as Samuel—typically the prophet, priest, and leader mentioned in Hebrew Bible narratives. In Greek contexts, refers exclusively to this individual, with no independent lexical meaning beyond the personal name. The name is used for a single figure and does not carry generic semantic content in Greek beyond identification.
Semantic Range
the Israelite prophet Samuel; used exclusively as a personal name for the prophet-son-of-Elkanah in the Hebrew Scriptures and those who bear his name in genealogies
Root / Etymology
Greek transliteration of the Hebrew שְׁמוּאֵל (Šəmûʾēl), rendered in the Greek form Σαμουήλ (Samouēl) via the Septuagint. The Hebrew is often interpreted as 'Name of God' or 'Heard of God' (from שֵׁם, 'name,' + אֵל, 'God,' or from שָׁמַע, 'to hear').
Historical & Contextual Notes
Σαμουήλ appears only as a proper name in the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (Septuagint) and in the New Testament (e.g., Acts 3:24, 13:20, and Hebrews 11:32), always referencing the Israelite prophet Samuel from the narratives in 1 and 2 Samuel. The form is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name and reflects the widespread practice of retaining Hebrew names with minimal phonetic adaptation in Greek script. In post-biblical Greek literature, the name remains strictly a designation for the biblical figure and is not used as a title or appellative. The English tradition translates or transliterates the name as 'Samuel,' but this does not affect the underlying Greek usage, which has no semantic shift and always refers to the same historical personage. There are no known uses of Σαμουήλ outside reference to the specific Israelite individual; it does not function as a common noun or title in any period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew origin (שְׁמוּאֵל); Samuel (i.e. Shemuel), an Israelite:--Samuel.
Root Family
Σαμουήλ (Samouēl) — proper name, Samuel
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4545-01 |
Σαμουὴλ | samouel | N GEN M SG |
Samuel | of Samuel | Samouel | 3 |
Occurrences in Scripture
3 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4545-01 |
Acts 3:24 | Σαμουὴλ | samouel | N GEN M SG |
Samuel | of Samuel | Samouel |
G4545-01 |
Acts 13:20 | Σαμουὴλ | samouel | N GEN M SG |
Samuel | of Samuel | Samouel |
G4545-01 |
Hebrews 11:32 | Σαμουὴλ | samouel | N GEN M SG |
Samuel | of Samuel | Samouel |