Boy Old Testament Rare
Shobal
path; ear of corn
שׁוֹבָל sho.val
Shobal (Hebrew: שׁוֹבָל, sho.val) means “path; ear of corn”, by traditional interpretation. Two men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Patriarchal period. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears with Ahumai in 1 Chronicles 4.
Which Shobal?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
-
Shobal
son of Seir
-
Shobal
son of Hur
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 9 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 36:20 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 4:2 |
| Cross-references | 63 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Ishma attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Hur.
- Penuel attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Hur.
- Jezreel attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Hur.
- Achsah attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Hur.
- Ezer attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Hur.
- Salma attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Hur.
- Zibeon co-occurrence Appears with Zibeon in 1 Chronicles 1.
- Haroeh co-occurrence Appears with Haroeh in 1 Chronicles 4.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.50;
son of: Hur (H2354);
brother of: Uri (H0221), Salma (H8007H), Hareph (H2780), Jezreel (H3157J), Ishma (H3457), Idbash (H3031), Hazzelelponi (H6753), Penuel (H6439H) and Ezer (H5829);
father of: Haroeh (H7204)
§ Shobal = "flowing"
1) the 2nd son of Seir the Horite (Edom) and one of the dukes of the Horites
2) son of Caleb, grandson of Hur, and founder of Kirjath-jearim
3) a Judaite, son of Hur and a descendant of Caleb
3a) possibly the same as 2
Shobal was a Judahite, the son of Hur and the father (ie founder) of Kiriath-jearim.
The biblical story
Shobal is mentioned in 1Ch.2.50,52 and 1Ch.4.1,2 as a descendant of Judah through Hur, the son of Caleb, though the text is difficult to interpret. He is described as the father (ie founder) of Kiriath-jearim, a city in Judah. The genealogy in 1 Chronicles 2 lists Shobal among the descendants of Hur, along with his brothers Salma and Hareph. In 1 Chronicles 4, Shobal is mentioned again as the father of Reaiah, who was the father of Jahath. This passage also states that the families of Kiriath-jearim, including the Ithrites, Puthites, Shumathites, and Mishraites, were descended from Shobal. These clans were known for their various occupations, such as scribes, linen workers, and potters. Shobal's mention in the genealogies of Judah highlights his role as an ancestor of prominent families and clans within the tribe.
Key verses
Shobal appears in 4 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
These were the sons of Caleb the son of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah; Shobal the father of Kirjath–jearim,
1 Chronicles 2:50 -
And Shobal the father of Kirjath–jearim had sons; Haroeh, and half of the Manahethites.
1 Chronicles 2:52 -
The sons of Judah; Pharez, Hezron, and Carmi, and Hur, and Shobal.
1 Chronicles 4:1 -
And Reaiah the son of Shobal begat Jahath; and Jahath begat Ahumai, and Lahad. These are the families of the Zorathites.
1 Chronicles 4:2
Show all 4 references
1 Chronicles (4)
- 1 Chronicles 2:50
- 1 Chronicles 2:52
- 1 Chronicles 4:1
- 1 Chronicles 4:2