8039. Shimah
Lexical Summary
Shimah: Shimah

Original Word: שִׁמְאָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Shim'ah
Pronunciation: shee-MAH
Phonetic Spelling: (shim-aw')
KJV: Shimah
NASB: Shimeah
Word Origin: [perhaps for H8093 (שִׁמעָה - Shimeah)]

1. Shimah, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Shimah

Perhaps for Shim'ah; Shimah, an Israelite -- Shimah. Compare Shim'am.

see HEBREW Shim'ah

see HEBREW Shim'am

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a Benjamite, same as NH8043
NASB Translation
Shimeah (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
שִׁמְאָה proper name, masculine in Benjamin 1 Chronicles 8:32 Σεμαα, Σαμαα, etc., = following.

Topical Lexicon
Name and Meaning

Shimah (also vocalized Shimeah or Shimeam) carries the idea of “hearing” or “being heard,” echoing the Hebrew verb shamaʿ. The concept of attentive listening is woven throughout Scripture, underscoring Israel’s call to hear the voice of the LORD and respond in covenant obedience.

Biblical Occurrence and Context

The name appears once, in the Benjamite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 8:32. The Chronicler records: “Mikloth was the father of Shimeah. These also lived near their relatives in Jerusalem” (Berean Standard Bible). Though brief, the notice anchors Shimah within the post-exilic community and links him to the historic heart of Israel’s worship.

Genealogical Significance

1 Chronicles 8 traces the line of Benjamin down to King Saul and his descendants. Shimah is the son of Mikloth and grandson of Jeiel of Gibeon (1 Chronicles 8:29-32). This positions him among relatives who shared both Saul’s royal heritage and the covenant privileges of the tribe. By preserving such names, the Chronicler validates land claims, priestly assignments, and the tribe’s ongoing contribution to the restored nation.

Historical and Cultural Insights

Gibeon lay in Benjamin’s territory, five to six miles northwest of Jerusalem. After the exile, many Benjamites (including Levites and priests) settled again in and around Jerusalem to support temple service (Nehemiah 11:4-7). Shimah’s family “lived near their relatives in Jerusalem,” illustrating the strategic repopulation of the holy city and reinforcing tribal unity in close proximity to the temple.

Theological and Ministry Reflections

1. Covenant Continuity

By listing names like Shimah, the Chronicler emphasizes that God preserves His people generation after generation. Even obscure individuals are part of the redemptive storyline culminating in the Messiah (compare Ruth 4:18-22; Matthew 1:1-17).
2. The Discipline of Hearing

Shimah’s name recalls the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4-5—“Hear, O Israel.” Faith begins with hearing (Romans 10:17). The genealogical setting quietly exhorts readers to heed God’s voice just as Israel was called to do.
3. Ministry of Presence

“These also lived near their relatives in Jerusalem.” Sometimes ministry is expressed simply by abiding faithfully where God places us and supporting the worship life of the community. Shimah models the quiet, essential work of stability that allows public ministry to flourish.

Practical Applications

• God sees and records lives that history might overlook. Believers engaged in unheralded service can take courage from Shimah’s inclusion in the inspired record.
• Faithful listening precedes faithful living. Encouraging a culture of “hearing” the Word—personally, in families, and corporately—remains foundational for healthy churches.
• Geographic nearness to worship fosters spiritual vitality. Modern parallels include intentional proximity to fellowship, accountability, and opportunities to serve.

Connections with the Wider Canon

The motif of hearing runs from the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) through prophetic calls (“Hear the word of the LORD,” Isaiah 1:10) to Jesus’ repeated refrain, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Mark 4:9). Shimah’s brief appearance subtly ties the Benjamite genealogy to this enduring biblical theme.

In sum, Shimah’s single mention underscores the value Scripture places on every member of God’s covenant community, highlights the ongoing relevance of attentive hearing, and reminds believers that even ordinary faithfulness contributes to the larger unfolding of divine purpose.

Forms and Transliterations
שִׁמְאָ֑ה שמאה shimAh šim’āh šim·’āh
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 8:32
HEB: הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־ שִׁמְאָ֑ה וְאַף־ הֵ֗מָּה
NAS: became the father of Shimeah. And they also
KJV: begat Shimeah. And these also
INT: Mikloth became of Shimeah also like

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 8039
1 Occurrence


šim·’āh — 1 Occ.

8038
Top of Page
Top of Page