שַׂמְלָה

𐤔𐤌𐤋𐤄

Samelah

H8072 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שמל to wrap, to clothe (probable, for root שמל)

Definition

Samlah — a personal name occurring in the genealogical lists, notably as the name of one of the Edomite kings who reigned before any monarchy arose among the Israelites (Genesis 36:36; 1 Chronicles 1:47). As a proper noun, the word designates a specific historical individual and does not convey a descriptive or adjectival meaning in context.

Semantic Range

name of an Edomite king, personal name

Root / Etymology

Derived from the probable root שׂמל, though the connection is uncertain; often associated with שִׂמְלָה (simlah, 'garment, robe'), possibly meaning 'garment' or 'clothed,' but actual etymology unclear.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Samlah appears in the genealogical and king lists of Edom, emphasizing Edomite political organization prior to the emergence of the Israelite monarchy. While the name looks similar to the common noun שִׂמְלָה ('garment, cloak'), there is no direct evidence in the context that the proper name Samlah is used with its ordinary lexical sense. Unlike שִׂמְלָה, which refers to an article of clothing in various biblical texts, Samlah as a personal name is unrelated to clothing in these genealogical records. English translations preserve the name in transliterated form since it functions exclusively as a proper noun. Later tradition identifies Samlah as an Edomite, but the biblical text itself only gives a genealogical list without explicit personal details beyond his succession as king.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably for the same as שִׂמְלָה; Samlah, an Edomite; Samlah.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שמל (š-m-l) — to wrap, to clothe

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8072-01 שַׂמְלָ֖ה samelah HNp Samlah Samlah 4

Occurrences in Scripture

4 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8072-01 Genesis 36:36 שַׂמְלָ֖ה samelah HNp Samlah Samlah
H8072-01 Genesis 36:37 שַׂמְלָ֑ה samelah HNp Samlah Samlah
H8072-01 1 Chronicles 1:47 שַׂמְלָ֖ה samelah HNp Samlah Samlah
H8072-01 1 Chronicles 1:48 שַׂמְלָ֑ה samelah HNp Samlah Samlah