שַׁעֲלִים
𐤔𐤏𐤋𐤉𐤌
Shaalim
H8171 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
(1) Foxes: The plural form of the common noun for 'fox,' referring to members of the wild canine species found in the Levant. (2) Shaalim: A place name attested in the narratives describing the early life of Saul, likely indicating a region or territory, possibly meaning 'the land of foxes' or deriving its name from the animal itself. The term is used both as a generic plural noun and as a toponym in the Hebrew Bible.
Semantic Range
foxes (animals), the land/territory of Shaalim (toponym), reference to a place characterized by or associated with foxes
Root / Etymology
From the root שׁעל (שׁוּעָל), meaning 'fox.' The suffix -ים indicates masculine plural in Hebrew. As a place name, it is formed from the plural noun, potentially descriptive of the area's fauna or its reputation. The relationship to the animal term suggests either an abundance of foxes or a metaphorical association.
Historical & Contextual Notes
As a common noun, שַׁעֲלִים refers simply to foxes and is used as such in various biblical passages. As a toponym, Shaalim is specifically named in 1 Samuel 9:4 as one of the locations searched by Saul in pursuit of his family's lost donkeys, suggesting it denoted a geographical locale east or northeast of Gibeah, though its precise identification is debated. The connection between the animal and the place name is not unique within Hebrew; other ancient Near Eastern toponyms also derive from notable local fauna. Although older English translations sometimes use 'foxes' generically, the King James Version translates the toponym as 'the land of Shalim,' possibly reflecting Greek and Latin transliterations (e.g., Shaalim or Shalim). There is no indication in the biblical text that the toponym is connected to a deity, and the plural form suggests a descriptive rather than personal origin. The form שַׁעֲלִים does not carry any later religious or ethnic terminological significance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of שׁוּעָל; foxes; Shaalim, a place in Palestine; Shalim.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שעל (sh-ʿ-l) — to crawl, to move stealthily, fox
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8171-01 |
שַׁעֲלִים֙ | shaalim | HNp |
of Shaalim | foxes | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8171-01 |
1 Samuel 9:4 | שַׁעֲלִים֙ | shaalim | HNp |
of Shaalim | foxes |