3460. Yishmayah or Yishmayahu

Lexical Summary

Yishmayah or Yishmayahu: Ishmaiah or Ishmaiah

Original Word: יִשְׁמַעְיָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yishma`yah
Pronunciation: yish-mah-YAH or yish-mah-YAH-hoo
Phonetic Spelling: (yish-mah-yaw')
KJV: Ishmaiah
NASB: Ishmaiah
Word Origin: [from H8085 (שָׁמַע - heard) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. Jah will hear
2. Jishmajah, the name of two Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Ishmaiah

Or Yishmacyahuw {yish-mah-yaw'-hoo}; from shama' and Yahh; Jah will hear; Jishmajah, the name of two Israelites -- Ishmaiah.

see HEBREW shama'

see HEBREW Yahh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from shama and Yah
Definition
"Yah hears," two Isr.
NASB Translation
Ishmaiah (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

יִשְׁמַעְיָ֫ה(וּׅ proper name, masculine (׳י heareth); — Σαμαιας:

1 יָה-, Gibeonite, one of David's heroes 1 Chronicles 12:4.

2 יָהוּ#NAME? Zebulun 1 Chronicles 27:19.

Topical Lexicon

Name and Identity

Yishmaiah (Strong’s Hebrew 3460, יִשְׁמַעְיָה) appears twice in the Old Testament record, both times in the books that recount the reign of King David. Though little is said about his personal background beyond tribal ties, the contexts in which he is named associate him with courage, loyalty, and trustworthy leadership.

Historical Setting: The Reign of David

Both references to Yishmaiah fall within the chronicler’s detailed narrative of David’s rise and the organization of his kingdom (1 Chronicles 11–29). These chapters emphasize how David’s rule was divinely established through covenant fidelity, military strength, and orderly administration. Yishmaiah’s inclusion in this material underlines his contribution to each of these themes.

Association with David’s Mighty Warriors

1 Chronicles 12:4 lists “Ishmaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty warrior among the thirty and a leader over the thirty”. The men named in this roster were those who defected to David while he was in exile from Saul. They risked everything to align themselves with God’s chosen king, revealing discernment of God’s purposes and a willingness to stake their lives on them. As a Gibeonite, Yishmaiah also embodies the covenant mercy Israel had shown generations earlier to the Gibeonites (Joshua 9). His valor reaffirmed that God’s kingdom transcends ethnic boundaries and welcomes all who pledge allegiance to His anointed.

Key observations:
• He is grouped among “the thirty,” an elite corps whose exploits echoed the might of earlier judges.
• He is called “a leader,” implying a command role that earned the respect of equally gifted warriors.
• His placement alongside Benjaminites and others who turned from Saul highlights the growing recognition that David, not Saul, possessed the Spirit-anointed legitimacy to rule (1 Samuel 16:13).

Role in Tribal Administration

In the closing chapters of 1 Chronicles, David sets up an organizational framework intended to ensure national stability. Among twelve tribal overseers we read: “for Zebulun, Ishmaiah son of Obadiah” (1 Chronicles 27:19). This appointment carries several implications:

• The same man who excelled in battle proved equally competent in civil administration, demonstrating that spiritual faithfulness fosters versatility in service.
• His duty over Zebulun indicates a sphere of authority reaching beyond his original Gibeonite context, reflecting David’s policy of integrating capable men into the broader kingdom structure.
• The list of overseers alternates between priestly, military, and tribal leaders, underscoring the holistic nature of Israel’s governance under David—a balance of worship, defense, and daily management.

Theological Reflections

1. Covenant Faithfulness: Yishmaiah illustrates how God honors covenant faithfulness across generations. The protection Israel once extended to the Gibeonites ultimately brought blessing back to the nation through the loyal service of this valiant ally.

2. Calling and Competence: Scripture shows no dichotomy between sacred and secular service. Yishmaiah’s seamless transition from battlefield hero to administrative officer affirms that all spheres of life fall under divine lordship and can be arenas for faithful stewardship.

3. Foreshadowing the Messiah’s Kingdom: David’s kingdom, staffed by men like Yishmaiah, foreshadows the inclusive, righteous reign of the greater Son of David. Gentiles who trust in the Lord’s anointed are grafted into His people, finding purpose in advancing His rule (Isaiah 42:1–4; Acts 13:47).

Lessons for Today

• Courageous allegiance to God’s chosen King—now the risen Jesus—remains the decisive mark of true discipleship.
• Believers should cultivate character that qualifies them for both spiritual warfare and practical service, confident that the Lord equips for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17).
• Kingdom effectiveness often hinges on unsung figures whose names appear only briefly in Scripture. Like Yishmaiah, Christians may impact redemptive history far beyond the notice of this world, yet fully within God’s eternal record.

Thus, though mentioned only twice, Yishmaiah stands as a testament to God’s ability to raise up faithful servants from unexpected places and employ them mightily in establishing and maintaining His kingdom purposes.

Forms and Transliterations

וְיִֽשְׁמַֽעְיָ֧ה וישמעיה יִֽשְׁמַֽעְיָ֖הוּ ישמעיהו veyishmaYah wə·yiš·ma‘·yāh wəyišma‘yāh yiš·ma‘·yā·hū yishmaYahu yišma‘yāhū

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 12:4
HEB: וְיִֽשְׁמַֽעְיָ֧ה הַגִּבְעוֹנִ֛י גִּבּ֥וֹר
NAS: and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite,
KJV: And Ismaiah the Gibeonite,
INT: and Ishmaiah the Gibeonite A mighty

1 Chronicles 27:19
HEB: לִזְבוּלֻ֕ן יִֽשְׁמַֽעְיָ֖הוּ בֶּן־ עֹבַדְיָ֑הוּ
NAS: for Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son
KJV: Of Zebulun, Ishmaiah the son
INT: Zebulun Ishmaiah the son of Obadiah

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3460
2 Occurrences

wə·yiš·ma‘·yāh — 1 Occ.
yiš·ma‘·yā·hū — 1 Occ.