Samlah שַׂמְלָה
King of Edom before Israel had kings
Who is Samlah in the Bible?
Samlah was a king of Edom who reigned before Israel had a centralized monarchy, as recorded in Genesis 36:36-37 and 1 Chronicles 1:47-48. He ruled from the city of Masrekah and succeeded Hadad, son of Bedad, as king of Edom, before being followed by Shaul of Rehoboth on the River. The genealogical records listing Samlah demonstrate that Edom had established itself as an organized nation with a succession of rulers long before Israel's kings came to power. His mention in Scripture illustrates the historical development of nations surrounding Israel and provides context for understanding the ancient Near Eastern political landscape during the patriarchal and pre-monarchical periods.
Biography
Samlah is mentioned in Gen.36.36-37 and 1Ch.1.47-48 as one of the kings who reigned in Edom before Israel had kings. He was from the city of Masrekah and succeeded Hadad, son of Bedad, as king of Edom. After Samlah's death, Shaul from Rehoboth on the River succeeded him as king. The genealogies in Genesis 36 and 1 Chronicles 1 list the descendants of Esau, who was Jacob's brother, and the kings who ruled in Edom. These kings were not necessarily related to each other, and their reigns were not dynastic. The mention of these kings demonstrates Edom's political organization and its existence as a nation before Israel had a centralized monarchy. Samlah's inclusion in these lists provides a glimpse into the history of Edom and its relationship with Israel.
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 2 verses
- Genesis 36:36
"When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah reigned in his place."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 36:37
"When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates reigned in his place."
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 2 verses
- 1 Chronicles 1:47
"When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah reigned in his place."
- 1 Chronicles 1:48
"When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates reigned in his place."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שַׂמְלָה |
Samlah
ef="Bible:1Chr.1.47">1Ch 1:47,48). The fact that the city is mentioned in connection with the name of the king suggests that Edom was a confederacy at this time and the chief city was the metropolis of the whole country.
sam'-us (Codex Alexandrinus Sammous; Codex Vaticanus Sammou): One of those who stood on Ezra's right hand as he expounded the Law (1 Esdras 9:43) = "Shema" in Ne 8:4.