Pronunciation: [sˈɔːl] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "Saul" can be a bit confusing for English learners because the pronunciation does not match the spelling. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /sɔːl/, with a long "o" sound instead of a short "a" sound as in "salt". This is because the word "Saul" is a proper noun and its spelling comes from Hebrew, where the corresponding name is spelled with an "ayin" letter that represents a long "o" sound.
Saul, noun:
1. (Biblical) In the Bible, Saul refers primarily to the first king of Israel who ruled in the 11th century BC. Saul was anointed by the prophet Samuel at the command of God, but later disobeyed divine instructions, leading to his downfall. He reigned for around forty years before being succeeded by David, who became his son-in-law. Saul is known for his conflict with the Philistines, his struggles with personal inner turmoils, and his eventual tragic demise.
2. (First name) Saul is also a common given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the biblical character. Often used within Jewish communities, the name has roots in the word "Sha'ul" meaning "asked for" or "prayed for." It carries connotations of earnestly seeking and fulfilling a desired request or prayer. The name Saul has been used across various cultures and languages, including both as a given name and a surname.
3. (Archery) "Saul" can also refer to a type of arrowhead or broadhead used in archery. These arrowheads are typically designed for hunting or target shooting, offering enhanced cutting ability. The term "saul" can be employed interchangeably with "bodkin point," depending on the specific archery context.
Overall, the term Saul encompasses biblical history, personal identity, and archery, carrying historical and cultural significance in various contexts.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "saul" has its origin in the Hebrew language. In Hebrew, it is spelled שָׁאוּל (Sha'ul) and is derived from the verb שָׁאַל (sha'al), meaning "to ask" or "to inquire". The name "Saul" has several meanings associated with it, including "prayed for" or "asked for". It is a significant name in biblical history, famously associated with King Saul, the first king of Israel, who was anointed by the prophet Samuel.
