path; ear of corn
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
SHOBAL.1. A son of Seir the Horite, and one of the dukes of the Horites (Gen_36:20; Gen_36:23; Gen_36:29 = 1Ch_1:38; 1Ch_1:40). 2. A Calebite family in the tribe of Judah. This Shobal is called in 1Ch_4:1-2 a son of Judah, and in 1Ch_2:50 son of Caleb and father of Kiriath-jearim. The name is probably to be connected, if not identified, with No. 1.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909
1. Seir's second son, a "duke" or phylarch of the Horites (Gen_36:20; Gen_36:29).
2. Prince or founder of Kirjath Jearim (1Ch_2:50; 1Ch_2:52). Soba (related to Shobal the founder of Kirjath Jearim) answers to it; for Kirjath Jearim is described as on the boundary of Judah, next Mount Seir, which is next to Chesalon. Kesla now answers to Chesalon, on the same ridge with Soba; and between the two is the mount called Saghir, evidently answering to Mount Seir. The thickets W. of Soba answer to Mount Jearim, "the hill of thickets." Baalah was another name of Kirjath Jearim, meaning "elevated," which is true of Soba. (Palestine Exploration Quarterly Statement, July 1878, p. 114.)
3. Possibly the same as Haroeh, which maybe a corruption for Reaiah (1Ch_4:1-2). So 2 and 3 are identical.
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.
Sho'bal. (flowing).
1. Second son of Seir, the Horite, Gen_36:20; 1Ch_1:38, and one of the "dukes," of the Horites Gen_36:29.
2. Son of Caleb, the son of Hur, and founder, or prince, of Kirjath-jearim. 1Ch_2:50; 1Ch_2:52. (B.C. about 1445).
3. In 1Ch_4:1-2, Shobal appears with Hur, among the sons of Judah. He is, possibly, the same as Shobal, 2.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863
shō?bal (שׁובל, shōbhāl, ?overflowing?; Σωβάλ, Sōbál, with variants):
(1) An Edomite name mentioned in connection with Lotan, Zibeon and Anah, as that of a ?son? of Seir (Gen_36:20), the father of a clan (Gen_36:23), and a Horite ?duke? ('allūph) (Gen_36:29; 1Ch_1:38, 1Ch_1:40).
(2) A Calebite, the father (possibly of the inhabitants) of Kiriath-jearim (1Ch_2:50, 1Ch_2:52).
(3) A Judahite, perhaps to be identified with (2) above (1Ch_4:1 f).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.
(Heb. Shobal', שׁוֹבָל, flowing, or a shoot [Gesen.], or wandering [Furst]; Sept. Σωβάλ or Σουβάλ v.r. Σωβάρ), the name of two Hebrews.
l. Second named of the seven sons of Seir the Horite (Gen_36:20; 1Ch_1:38). He was the father of five sons (Gen_36:23; 1Ch_1:40), and one of the aboriginal dukes or sheiks of Edom (Gen_36:29). B.C. post 1963.
2. First named of the five sons of Hur the son of Caleb of the tribe of Judah. He became the founder (father) of Kirjath-jearimp (1Ch_2:50). B.C. cir. 1612. He is evidently the same mentioned as father of Reaiah (q. y.) among the descendants, (sons) of Judah in 1Ch_4:1-2. sv.
CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.