Shela

Shela is a Hebrew name found in the Old Testament, where it is the name of a son of Judah. The name means "petition, request" in Hebrew, reflecting a concept of asking or supplication. In English Bibles, it is usually written as Shelah.

Etymology

The Hebrew form שלה (Shela) likely derives from a root meaning "to ask" or "to request," aligning with its biblical interpretation. In the genealogies of Genesis, Shela (or Shelah) appears as a son of Judah and a daughter of Shuah (see Genesis 38:5, and also 46:12 for his inclusion in the list of Jacob's descendants). He is a member of the tribe of Judah, though the name does not appear elsewhere in significant narrative events. Outside of the biblical context, the name Shela appears in Jewish history. For instance, Rav Shela was a third-century Babylonian rabbi, and the name could be spelled the same way. Meanwhile, the related form Shelah (שֶׁלַח) is distinct in Hebrew but is often confused, as both are sometimes rendered "Shelah" in English contexts.

Notable Bearers

Although the biblical Shela is a minor figure, the name gained later Jewish prominence through Rabbi Shela, an early Amoraitic sage. However, the most notable mention of Shelah is as an acronym: the 16th-century Jewish mystic Isaiah Horowitz is known by the honorific "Shelah haKadosh" (the holy Shelah), based on the initial letters of his major work, Shenei Luhot HaBerit (שני לוחות הברית).

Cultural Significance

While Shela is not a common modern given name, its connection to Judah and its role in the biblical genealogy lend it value for those interested in biblical naming traditions. The variant Shelah has seen use as a surname in modern Israel, notably borne by mathematician Saharon Shelah (born 1945).

• Meaning: Petition, request
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: First name (male)
• Usage region: Hebrew Bible, Jewish culture