Meaning & History
Salah is a form of Shelach used in some English versions of the Old Testament. The name appears in genealogical passages, notably in Genesis, where it is listed as the son of Arpachshad and the father of Eber, making Salah an ancestor of Abraham.
Etymology and Biblical Context
The name Shelach (שֶׁלַח) in Hebrew means “dart” or “weapon,” though it may also be interpreted as “plant shoot.” In the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate, the name was rendered as Sala or Sale, which later influenced English translations such as the King James Version, where the spelling Salah appears. This form is distinct from the Arabic name derived from Ṣāliḥ, though both share a consonantal similarity.
According to the biblical narrative, Salah lived to the age of 433 years and was a descendant of Shem, one of Noah’s sons. The lineage from Shem to Abram (later Abraham) is considered critically in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. In some biblical chronologies, Salah is mentioned as an ancestor of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 3:35).
Usage and Variants
The variant Shelah also appears in the Bible as a different person—the youngest son of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38). This Shelah should not be confused with the descendant of Shem. The different spellings in the Old Testament reflect textual variations among early manuscripts and translations.
As an English biblical name, Salah has extremely limited usage outside of religious contexts. Modern English-language parents are far more likely to choose Shelah or incorporate the archaic spelling Salem on account of its association with the place name. In non-English traditions, the Arabic name Ṣalāḥ (meaning “righteousness” or “piety”) is unrelated but prominent enough to cause occasional confusion in internet searches.
- Meaning: “dart,” “weapon,” or “plant shoot” (Hebrew)
- Origin: Hebrew, from the root Shelach
- Type: Biblical given name
- Usage Regions: English-speaking countries (primarily as a biblical transliteration)