Lexical Summary Shomer: Watchman, Keeper, Guard Original Word: שׁוֹמֵר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shomer Or Shomer {sho-mare'}; active participle of shamar; keeper; Shomer, the name of two Israelites -- Shomer. see HEBREW shamar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shamar Definition two Isr. NASB Translation Shomer (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs שֹׁמֵר proper name, masculine 1. father of one of Joash's murderers 2 Kings 12:21, Σωμηρ, ᵐ5L Σεμμηρ (called שִׁמְרִית q. v., a Moabitess, "" 2Chronicles 24:26). 2 Asherite 1 Chronicles 7:32, Σαμηρ, Σωμηρ; = שֶׁמֶר 2b. Topical Lexicon Name Significance Shomer carries the sense of “watchman” or “guardian,” an idea that resonates with several biblical themes—the vigilance God exercises over His people (Psalm 121) and the charge entrusted to every believer to “watch and pray” (Mark 14:38). Though Scripture assigns Shomer to only two individuals, both contexts underscore the tension between faithful guardianship and tragic failure. Occurrences and Historical Context 1. Chronicles 7:32 presents Shomer as a son of Heber in the tribe of Asher: “The sons of Heber were Japhlet, Shomer, Hotham, and their sister Shua.” (Berean Standard Bible). Genealogical Significance in Asher Asher received Jacob’s blessing of abundance and favor (Genesis 49:20; Deuteronomy 33:24–25). Within this lineage, Shomer stands in the fourth generation after Asher, suggesting a role in the northern tribal settlements that later supplied key warriors to David (1 Chronicles 12:36). Although no deeds of Shomer are recorded here, his inclusion affirms God’s meticulous preservation of each family line, reinforcing the reliability of the biblical genealogies that ultimately converge on Messiah (Luke 3). Complicity in the Assassination of King Joash Jehozabad son of Shomer joined Jozabad son of Shimeath in slaying Joash. Joash had begun as a reformer under Jehoiada but drifted into idolatry and murdered the prophet Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20–22). The assassins’ deed fulfills prophetic warning and exposes the moral collapse of a king who ceased to guard the covenant. Shomer, as the progenitor of one conspirator, becomes an ironic counterpoint: the “guardian” whose household contributes to regicide. Scripture does not whitewash this event; it records it soberly and then proceeds to the orderly succession of Amaziah (2 Kings 14:1), underscoring God’s sovereign governance even through human treachery. Thematic Insights • Vigilance versus negligence: The meaning of Shomer contrasts the lapse of Joash, who failed to guard his heart after Jehoiada’s death (Proverbs 4:23). Ministry Applications 1. Personal Watchfulness: Believers called to be “watchmen” (Ezekiel 33:7) must guard doctrine and life, lest compromise breed destruction similar to Joash’s downfall. Summary Shomer appears briefly yet meaningfully: once in the peaceful roll of Asher’s sons, once amid the bloody intrigue that ended Joash’s reign. Together these references highlight the call to vigilant guardianship, the certainty of divine justice, and the unbreakable continuity of God’s redemptive narrative. Forms and Transliterations שֹׁמֵ֤ר ׀ שׁוֹמֵ֖ר שומר שמר shoMer šō·mêr šō·w·mêr šōmêr šōwmêrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 12:21 HEB: וִיהוֹזָבָ֨ד בֶּן־ שֹׁמֵ֤ר ׀ עֲבָדָיו֙ הִכֻּ֣הוּ NAS: the son of Shomer, his servants, KJV: the son of Shomer, his servants, INT: and Jehozabad the son of Shomer his servants struck 1 Chronicles 7:32 2 Occurrences |
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