Boy Old Testament Rare
Shaul
Saul, asked; lent; a grave
שָׁאוּל sha.ul
Shaul (Hebrew: שָׁאוּל, sha.ul) means “Saul, asked; lent; a grave”, by traditional interpretation. Three men in scripture bear the name; the best attested is a king. In 2025 it was given to 24 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears with Achbor in Genesis 36.
Which Shaul?
Three men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Shaul
son of Simeon
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Shaul
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Shaul
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 10 across 4 books
- Bearers
- 3 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 24 | Rising |
| All-time total | 730 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 33 in 2021 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | NY | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 36:37 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 6:36 |
| Cross-references | 38 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Jachin attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Simeon.
- Jamin attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Simeon.
- Zerah attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Simeon.
- Jemuel attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Simeon.
- Zohar co-occurrence Appears with Zohar in 1 Chronicles 4.
- Zerah co-occurrence Appears with Zerah in 1 Chronicles 4.
- Jachin co-occurrence Appears with Jachin in 1 Chronicles 4.
- Jamin co-occurrence Appears with Jamin in 1 Chronicles 4.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24;
son of: Uzziah (H5818H);
father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36;
Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U)
§ Saul or Shaul = "desired"
1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel
2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah
3) a son of Simeon
4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Shaul (or Joel) was a Levite descended from Kohath, as listed in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles.
The biblical story
Shaul (or Joel), mentioned in 1Ch.6.24 and 1Ch.6.36, was a Levite who descended from Kohath, one of the sons of Levi. In the genealogical records of the Levites, Shaul is listed as the son of Uzziah and the father of Uriel. The name Shaul is used in verse 24, while Joel is used in verse 36, likely due to textual variations or scribal differences. The Kohathites were one of the major divisions of the Levites and were responsible for carrying the sacred objects of the tabernacle during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. The genealogy in 1 Chronicles 6 traces the lineage of the Levites, particularly the descendants of Kohath, highlighting their important role in the religious life of Israel. The mention of Shaul (or Joel) in this genealogy establishes his place within the Levitical lineage and emphasizes the continuity of the Kohathite family in their sacred duties.
Key verses
Shaul appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son.
1 Chronicles 6:24 -
The son of Elkanah, the son of Joel, the son of Azariah, the son of Zephaniah,
1 Chronicles 6:36
Show all 2 references
1 Chronicles (2)
- 1 Chronicles 6:24
- 1 Chronicles 6:36