Lexical Summary Shamur or Shamir: Thorns, brier, adamant Original Word: שָׁמוּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shamir Passive participle of shimtsah; observed; Shamur, an Israelite -- Shamir (from the margin). see HEBREW shimtsah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as Shamir, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs III. שָׁמִיר proper name, masculine Levite, 1 Chronicles 24:24 Qr, Σαμηρ, Σεμμηρ (Kt שמור). שׁמשׁ (√ of following; meaning unknown; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenician שמש; Assyrian šamšu; Aramaic שִׁמְשָׁא, Topical Lexicon Etymology and SymbolismAlthough the name שָׁמוּר occurs only once, its underlying verbal idea is the well-known Hebrew stem “to guard, watch, keep.” In redemptive history the act of “keeping” is repeatedly attributed to the LORD—He “keeps covenant” (Deuteronomy 7:9) and “keeps” His people (Psalm 121:4–8). By bearing a name built on that concept, the Levite Shamur silently declares that all priestly service rests on the God who guards both His word and His worship. Biblical Setting Shamur appears in the carefully ordered list of Levitical families drawn up by King David in preparation for the Temple ministry (1 Chronicles 24). The chapter first assigns the twenty-four priestly divisions derived from Aaron’s line, then turns to the wider Levitical clans who would assist in every aspect of sanctuary life—music, gatekeeping, treasuries and the teaching of the Law (compare 1 Chronicles 23:2–5). 1 Chronicles 24:24: “The sons of Uzziel: Michah; among the sons of Michah were Shamir.” The Masoretic pointing behind the’s “Shamir” corresponds to שָׁמוּר, so the name represents a distinct individual within the Uzzielite branch of the Kohathites. Genealogical Placement Levi └─ Kohath └─ Uzziel └─ Michah └─ Shamur (שָׁמוּר) Thus Shamur stands in the same ancestral line as Bezalel’s great-grandfather (Exodus 31:2) and as the later high priest Uzziah-Azariah’s kinsmen (2 Chronicles 26:18). The Kohathites bore the heaviest responsibility of transporting the most sacred furnishings in the wilderness (Numbers 4:4–15); that heritage would linger as David organized Temple duties. Role in David’s Preparations David’s re-structuring of Levitical service (1 Chronicles 23–26) forms a crucial bridge from tabernacle to Temple. Every name recorded, including Shamur’s, certifies that the transition was not haphazard but covenantal: “These were registered… according to their offices for ministering in the house of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 23:24). Shamur’s family would have received scheduled turns of duty, ensuring continual worship once Solomon’s Temple stood (2 Chronicles 8:14). Theological Insights 1. The faithfulness of God in generations A single mention of Shamur anchors an entire clan to sacred service. Scripture thereby demonstrates that no generation is overlooked when God unfolds His covenant promises (compare Psalm 105:8). The Davidic divisions anticipate Paul’s exhortation: “all things should be done in a fitting and orderly way” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Shamur’s inclusion witnesses to an ordered ministry that honors the holiness of God. Just as the name points to guarding, so believers are charged to “guard the good deposit” (2 Timothy 1:14). Shamur symbolizes every unnamed servant who upholds the purity of doctrine and practice. Ministry Applications • Invisible faithfulness matters. Shamur performed no recorded miracle, yet his steady presence supported the house of God. Modern servants who arrange chairs, maintain finances or teach children share the same dignity. Conclusion Though only a line in a genealogy, Shamur embodies crucial themes: God’s vigilant care, the necessity of ordered worship, and the quiet but essential labors that sustain covenant life. His name encourages every believer to serve faithfully, confident that the LORD “will keep you from all harm; He will watch over your life” (Psalm 121:7). Forms and Transliterations שָׁמִֽיר׃ שמיר׃ šā·mîr šāmîr shaMirLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 24:24 HEB: [שָׁמוּר כ] (שָׁמִֽיר׃ ק) KJV: of the sons of Michah; Shamir. INT: of the sons of Micah Shamir |
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, Old Aramaic, Palmyrene שמש Lzb379; Arabic 
, Sabean שמסם goddess, SabDenkm20. 56ff. DHMB.u.S. 1032 WklZMG liv (1900), 408 ff. RSK 299 NöZMG xii (1887), 712).