person · P0032
Shmuel שמואל הנביא
The last of the Shoftim and the prophet who bridged the era of the Judges and the monarchy. Dedicated from childhood to the sanctuary at Shilo under Eli, he anointed both Shaul and David. Per the Rambam he received the Oral Torah from Eli and his court and transmitted it to David.
I. Who
- Hebrew
- שמואל הנביא
- Also known as
- Shmuel HaNavi, Samuel
- Era
- bible
- Received the mesorah from
- Eli
- Transmitted the mesorah to
- David
- Teachers
- Eli
- Students
- David
II. When
- Traditional
- c. 2830–2882 AM
- Lifespan (traditional)
- ≈52 years
- Precision
- approximate
V. How do we know
| Claim | Evidence | Confidence | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Received the Oral Torah from Eli and his court, and transmitted it to David — the fifth link in Rambam's forty-generation chain.
Confidence is for the chain as stated by the Rambam. |
rabbinic | ★★★★★ | |
| "All Israel from Dan to Be'er Sheva knew that Shmuel was established as a prophet to God"; he anointed David from among the sons of Yishai at Beit Lechem.
Confidence is for what the biblical text states. |
biblical | ★★★★★ | |
| The Gemara states that Shmuel died at fifty-two years of age.
Aggadic statement. |
rabbinic | ★★★☆☆ | |
| Shmuel was born to Elkanah and Channah after Channah prayed for a child; she named him Shmuel. | biblical | ★★★★★ | |
| As a young child he was brought to Shilo and remained there in service under Eli. | biblical | ★★★★★ | |
| He judged Israel throughout his life, traveled annually through Beit El, Gilgal, and Mitzpah, and returned to his home at Ramah. | biblical | ★★★★★ | |
| His sons were named Yoel and Aviyah, and he appointed them judges in Be'er Sheva. | biblical | ★★★★★ | |
| He died and was buried at his home in Ramah, where all Israel assembled to mourn him. | biblical | ★★★★★ | |
| Traditional placement c. 2830–2882 AM, shortly before David's accession to the throne of all Israel.
Schematic traditional dating. |
tradition reconstruction | ★★☆☆☆ |