Lexical Summary Shavsha: Shavsha Original Word: שַׁוְשָׁא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shavsha From suws; joyful; Shavsha, an Israelite -- Shavsha. see HEBREW suws NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition an Isr., perhaps the same as NH8304 NASB Translation Shavsha (1). Topical Lexicon Name and Variants Shavsha appears once in the received Hebrew text (1 Chronicles 18:16). Parallel passages present the same individual under variant spellings—“Seraiah” (2 Samuel 8:17), “Sheva” (2 Samuel 20:25), and “Shisha” (1 Kings 4:3). These alternate forms reflect normal orthographic fluidity in ancient manuscripts while referring to a single historical person. Biblical Setting The record places Shavsha in the court of King David after decisive military victories that secured Israel’s borders (1 Chronicles 18:1-13). David then “reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people” (1 Chronicles 18:14). The Chronicler lists key officials who enabled this godly governance: Joab over the army, Jehoshaphat as recorder, Zadok and Ahimelech as priests, Benaiah over the Cherethites and Pelethites, and “Shavsha was secretary” (1 Chronicles 18:16). Role and Duties 1. Keeper of Royal Records – The secretary (scribe) maintained treaties, census data, taxation logs, military rosters, and legal decrees—documents essential for David’s orderly reign (compare Esther 3:12; Jeremiah 36:32 for later scribal functions). Textual Correlations • 2 Samuel 8:17 parallels 1 Chronicles 18:16 but uses “Seraiah.” Such harmonies affirm scriptural coherence: the Chronicler, writing later, preserves the same historical reality under a spelling current in his era. Theological and Ministry Reflections • Stewardship of the Word – Shavsha’s discreet yet vital ministry illustrates how God uses administrative gifts to safeguard revelation. Faithful scribal work undergirds preaching, teaching, and worship. Legacy in Redemptive History The scribal office that Shavsha represents develops through the monarchy, the exile (Ezra 7:6), and into the New Testament era, where written testimony of Jesus Christ depends on meticulous copying traditions rooted in men like Shavsha. His single mention underscores a broader principle: every servant, seen or unseen, participates in the unfolding account that culminates in the Word made flesh (John 1:14). Forms and Transliterations וְשַׁוְשָׁ֖א ושושא veshavSha wə·šaw·šā wəšawšāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 18:16 HEB: אֶבְיָתָ֖ר כֹּהֲנִ֑ים וְשַׁוְשָׁ֖א סוֹפֵֽר׃ NAS: [were] priests, and Shavsha [was] secretary; KJV: [were] the priests; and Shavsha was scribe; INT: of Abiathar priests and Shavsha was scribe 1 Occurrence |
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