שׁוֹבָל
𐤔𐤅𐤁𐤋
Shoval
H7732 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Shobal, a personal name appearing in biblical genealogical traditions, referring to an Edomite chieftain and to Israelite individuals; etymologically related to ideas of flowing, abundance, or possibly pathways, but in use functions almost exclusively as a proper name.
Semantic Range
personal name (Shobal), possibly linked to ideas of overflowing, abundance, pathway; no ordinary noun usage
Root / Etymology
From the root שבל (sh-b-l), which is also found in the noun שֹׁבֶל (shōvel), meaning 'ear of grain, flow, trail, or path.' The derived form שׁוֹבָל (Shobal) is a personal name, likely constructed to evoke the sense of abundance, overflowing, or a leading path. Actual meaning as a name is uncertain and may involve associative rather than literal semantics. The form is consistent with other -al suffix proper names. Etymology uncertain in terms of why it becomes a personal name.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Shobal as a personal name occurs in Genesis 36:20, 36:23, 36:29 (where he is listed among the clans of Edom), and in 1 Chronicles 1:40 and 2:50, 2:52 (where the name refers to different individuals among the descendants of Seir and Judah, respectively). The appearance in both Edomite and Israelite/Judahite genealogies reflects broader patterns of shared names in the ancient southern Levant, and does not necessarily indicate close ethnic ties. The association of the root with 'overflowing' or 'abundance' likely informed the choice of the name, following ancient West Semitic naming patterns that evoke positive qualities or blessings. English translations transliterate the name directly, but sometimes later traditions (including Septuagint) conflate the identities due to similar genealogical lists. There is no evidence that the name carried specific religious significance; it is not used as a common noun for a social or religious identity. Contrasted with similar-sounding names such as שְׁבָל (Sheval) or שֶׁבֶל (Shebel), but these are distinct in meaning and genealogy. The appearance of the name in both Edomite and Judahite contexts likely testifies to fluid boundaries of nomenclature and possible regional movement or influence during the monarchic and pre-exilic periods.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from the same as שֹׁבֶל; overflowing; Shobal, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites; Shobal.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שבל (sh-b-l) — to flow, trail, overflow, be abundant, lead a path
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7635 | שָׁבִיל | trails of |
| H7640 | שֹׁבֶל | trailing robe-train |
| H7641 | שִׁבֹּל | ears of |
| H7642 | שַׁבְלוּל | trail-sliding snail |
Word Forms
3 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7732-02 |
שׁוֹבָ֔ל | shoval | HNp |
Shobal | Shobal | 5 |
H7732-03 |
וְ/שׁוֹבָ֖ל | veshoval | HC/Np |
and Shobal | and Shobal | 3 |
H7732-01 |
לְ/שׁוֹבָ֔ל | leshoval | HR/Np |
to Shobal | to Shobal | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H7732-03 |
Genesis 36:20 | וְ/שׁוֹבָ֖ל | veshoval | HC/Np |
and Shobal | and Shobal |
H7732-02 |
Genesis 36:23 | שׁוֹבָ֔ל | shoval | HNp |
Shobal | Shobal |
H7732-02 |
Genesis 36:29 | שׁוֹבָ֔ל | shoval | HNp |
Shobal | Shobal |
H7732-03 |
1 Chronicles 1:38 | וְ/שׁוֹבָ֖ל | veshoval | HC/Np |
and Shobal | and Shobal |
H7732-02 |
1 Chronicles 1:40 | שׁוֹבָ֔ל | shoval | HNp |
Shobal | Shobal |
H7732-02 |
1 Chronicles 2:50 | שׁוֹבָ֕ל | shoval | HNp |
Shobal | Shobal |
H7732-01 |
1 Chronicles 2:52 | לְ/שׁוֹבָ֔ל | leshoval | HR/Np |
to Shobal | to Shobal |
H7732-03 |
1 Chronicles 4:1 | וְ/שׁוֹבָֽל | veshoval | HC/Np |
and Shobal | and Shobal |
H7732-02 |
1 Chronicles 4:2 | שׁוֹבָל֙ | shoval | HNp |
of Shobal | Shobal |