שַׁעַלְבֹנִי
𐤔𐤏𐤋𐤁𐤍𐤉
Shaalevoni
H8170 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A patronymic or gentilic adjective referring to a person originating from Shaalbon (שַׁעַלְבִים), thus denoting 'an inhabitant of Shaalbon' or 'one belonging to Shaalbon.' Used specifically as a designation for certain individuals in lists of notable persons, typically signifying geographic or clan affiliation rather than ethnic or national identity.
Semantic Range
person from Shaalbon, inhabitant of Shaalbon, Shaalbonite, one belonging to the locality of Shaalbon
Root / Etymology
Formed from the place name שַׁעַלְבִים (Shaalbon/Shaalbim) with the gentilic suffix -ִי (-i), denoting origin or association. The place name itself likely derives from the root שַׁעֲלָב (possibly related to שׁוּעָל, 'fox'), but the exact etymology of the town name is uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, שַׁעַלְבֹנִי occurs primarily as a gentilic descriptor in military census or honor rolls, such as in 2 Samuel 23:32 and 1 Chronicles 11:33, both listing 'Eliahba the Shaalbonite' among David's mighty men. The term strictly serves to indicate a person's city of origin, with no inherent ethnic, religious, or moral connotation. In the Iron Age context (monarchic period), such gentilics functioned to associate individuals with local identities or family groups. Later English translations sometimes render the term as 'Shaalbonite,' which is a direct transliteration, but readers should not infer any meaning beyond geographic association. Comparatively, related forms such as יִשְׂרְאֵלִי (Israelite) or יְהוּדִי (authoritatively, 'Judean' in relevant periods) carry broader tribal or regional identity, whereas שַׁעַלְבֹנִי is narrowly locative.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
patrial from שַׁעַלְבִים; a Shaalbonite or inhabitant of Shaalbin; Shaalbonite.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שעלב (š-ʿ-l-b) — association with or origin from Shaalbon
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8170-01 |
הַ/שַּׁ֣עַלְבֹנִ֔י | hashaalevoni | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Shaalbonite | the Shaalbonite | the Shaalevoni | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8170-01 |
2 Samuel 23:32 | הַ/שַּׁ֣עַלְבֹנִ֔י | hashaalevoni | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Shaalbonite | the Shaalbonite | the Shaalevoni |
H8170-01 |
1 Chronicles 11:33 | הַ/שַּׁעַלְבֹנִֽי | hashaalevoni | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Shaalbonite | the Shaalbonite | the Shaalevoni |