שְׁמוּאֵל
Shmuel / Samuel
“God has heard”
Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל, Shmuel) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “god has heard,” pronounced “shmu-EL.” From Hebrew 'shem' (name) + 'El' (God), often interpreted as 'heard by God' or 'name of God.' Hannah's explanation in 1 Samuel 1:20 connects it to 'sha'al' (to ask): 'because I asked the LORD for him.'
| Hebrew | שְׁמוּאֵל |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Shmuel |
| English Name | Samuel |
| Meaning | God has heard |
| Pronunciation | shmu-EL |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Male Biblical Names |
| Variants | Shmuel, Shmu'el, Schmuel, Samuele, Samu |
| Key Scripture | 1 Samuel 1:20 |
Samuel's name is an answered prayer made audible. His mother Hannah, barren and desperate, wept so bitterly at the tabernacle in Shiloh that the priest Eli thought she was drunk. But God heard her silent petition, and when her son was born she named him Shmuel — 'God has heard' — turning her years of anguish into a permanent testimony. Samuel went on to become the pivotal figure who bridged the era of the judges and the monarchy, anointing Israel's first two kings and speaking God's word to a nation in transition.
Key Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:20
“So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, 'Because I asked the LORD for him.'”
What Does Samuel Mean in Hebrew?
The name שְׁמוּאֵל combines elements of שָׁמַע (shama, 'to hear') and אֵל (El, 'God'). Some scholars parse it as שֵׁם (shem, 'name') + אֵל (El, 'God') = 'His name is God.' Hannah's wordplay connects it to שָׁאַל (sha'al, 'to ask'), making it a multilayered prophetic name.
Samuel in the Bible
Samuel served as the last judge, a prophet, and a priest — the only figure in Israel's history to hold all three roles simultaneously. He anointed Saul as the first king and later anointed David, making him the king-maker of Israel's monarchy. Two books of the Bible bear his name.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
The story of Hannah's prayer and Samuel's birth is read as the Haftarah on the first day of Rosh Hashanah in Jewish liturgy, connecting the themes of divine remembrance and answered prayer to the Jewish New Year.
Samuel has been a consistently popular name across centuries and cultures. It ranks in the top 25 boys' names in the United States and many European countries. In Israel, Shmuel is common particularly in traditional and religious families.
Frequently Asked Questions About Samuel
What does Samuel mean in Hebrew?
Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל, Shmuel) means “God has heard” in Hebrew. From Hebrew 'shem' (name) + 'El' (God), often interpreted as 'heard by God' or 'name of God.' Hannah's explanation in 1 Samuel 1:20 connects it to 'sha'al' (to ask): 'because I asked the LORD for him.'
How do you pronounce Samuel in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Samuel is “shmu-EL.” The name is written שְׁמוּאֵל in Hebrew script.
What does Samuel mean in Hebrew?
Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל, Shmuel) is most commonly understood as 'God has heard,' combining elements of the Hebrew verb 'shama' (to hear) and 'El' (God). His mother Hannah named him this because God heard her desperate prayer for a child after years of barrenness (1 Samuel 1:20).
What was Samuel's role in the Bible?
Samuel uniquely served as judge, prophet, and priest — the only biblical figure to hold all three offices simultaneously. He was the last of the judges, transitioned Israel into the monarchy by anointing Saul as first king, and later anointed David. He was God's primary spokesman during one of Israel's most pivotal transitions.
Why is Hannah's prayer important in Jewish tradition?
Hannah's prayer (1 Samuel 1-2) is considered the model for personal, heartfelt prayer in Judaism. The Talmud derives key laws of prayer from her example — praying silently, moving one's lips, and praying from the heart. Her prayer is also read on Rosh Hashanah as a paradigm of faith rewarded.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
More Male Biblical Names
Explore other names in the Male Biblical Names collection
Related Hebrew Names
Discover the Meaning Behind Every Biblical Name
Join 12,000+ Christians discovering the depth of Scripture through Biblical Hebrew.
Subscribe Free