Lexical Definition

‎שׁוּעָל‎ Shûwʻâl (shoo-awl') Shual ^N:N-M-P
the same as ‎שׁוּעָל‎

Shual.

• § Shual = "jackal"
• Shual, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine

n pr m
1) as Asherite, son of Zophah
n pr loc
2) a district in Benjamin probably north of Michmash

Brown-Driver-Briggs

II. ‎שׁוּעָל‎ proper name, of a location district in Israel; — ‎׳‎‎אֶרֶץ שׁ‎ 1Sam 13:17 (‎דֶּרֶךְ עָפְרָה‎); not identified. — See also ‎׳‎‎חֲצַר שׁ‎ above

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Shual • Region raided by Philistines during Saul's reign

Shual was a region raided by Philistine raiders during Saul's reign, along with Ophrah and the land of Shaalim (1 Sam. 13:17).

• A location near Ophrah עׇפְרָה only mentioned at 1Sa.13.17;
• only referred to as Shual שׁוּעָל.
  

Shual is mentioned in the context of the Philistine threat to Israel during the reign of King Saul (1 Sam. 13:17). After the Philistines assembled a large army at Michmash, they sent out raiding parties in three directions. One company turned toward Ophrah in the land of Shual, while the others went toward Beth-horon and the Valley of Zeboim. The exact location of Shual is uncertain, but it was likely situated in the territory of Benjamin, north of Jerusalem. The name "Shual" means "fox" or "jackal" in Hebrew, possibly indicating the presence of these animals in the region or reflecting the cunning nature of the Philistine raiders. The mention of Shual in this narrative highlights the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines during Saul's reign and the challenges faced by the newly established monarchy. It also demonstrates the strategic importance of the region and the need for effective defense against enemy incursions.

All entries for Shual: שׁוּעָל