Saul

American  

[sawl] / sɔl /

noun

1. the first king of Israel. 1 Samuel 9.

2. Also called Saul of Tarsus.  the original name of the apostle Paul. Acts 9:1–30; 22:3.

3. a male given name.

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Saul British  

/ sɔːl /

noun

1. Old Testament the first king of Israel (?1020–1000 _bc ). He led Israel successfully against the Philistines, but was in continual conflict with the high priest Samuel. He became afflicted with madness and died by his own hand; succeeded by David

2. New Testament the name borne by Paul prior to his conversion (Acts 9: 1–30)

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Saul Cultural  

1. The first king of Israel, who battled repeatedly with the Philistines. He often felt great despair, which was soothed by David playing his harp. Saul later became jealous of David and tried to have him killed in battle. After a prophesied defeat by the Philistines, Saul killed himself.

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Discover More

Saul was also the Apostle Paul's original name.

Etymology

Origin of Saul

From Late Latin Saul, from Greek Saoúl, from Hebrew Shāʾūl “asked for (from God)”

Example Sentences

Saul said the experts were "absolutely not satisfied with the response from the Indian authorities", who essentially denied there was a problem.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

In their caustic vividness, Mr. Blankfein’s opening chapters more resemble Saul Bellow’s “The Adventures of Augie March” than any normal business book.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

The streamer has recently increased its sports offerings, with a super middleweight clash between Terence Crawford and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in Las Vegas last September viewed by 41 million people.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

The works she focused on included Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and Saul Bellow’s “Henderson the Rain King” with an eye toward the depictions of black characters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

Witness Simon who is called Peter, Matthew also known as Levi, Nathaniel who is also Bartholomew, Judas, not Iscariot, who took the name Thaddeus, Simeon who went by Niger, Saul who became Paul.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel