Lexical Summary Shemida: Shemida Original Word: שְׁמִידָע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shemida, Shemidah Apparently from shem and yada'; name of knowing; Shemida, an Israelite -- Shemida, Shemidah. see HEBREW shem see HEBREW yada' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originappar. from shem and yada Definition "name of knowing," a man of Manasseh NASB Translation Shemida (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs שְׁמִידָ֑ע proper name, masculine in Manasseh (the name knoweth? compare Sabean ירעסמהו DHMZMG xxxvii (1883), 16); — Numbers 26:22 (συμαερ), Joshua 17:2; 1 Chronicles 7:19, συμαρειμ, etc.; ᵐ5L σαμ(ε)ιδα(ε). Topical Lexicon Shemida Name and Meaning The name שְׁמִידָע (Shemida) is commonly understood to convey the idea of “renowned” or “knowledge of the name.” Though little is recorded about the individual himself, the repetition of his name in key genealogical and land-distribution texts highlights the significance of every clan within the covenant community. Biblical Occurrences • Numbers 26:32–33 records the census on the plains of Moab: “These were the descendants of Gilead… the clan of the Shemidaites from Shemida…”. Genealogical Context Jacob → Joseph → Manasseh → Machir → Gilead → Shemida. Shemida thus stands four generations removed from Joseph, anchoring his clan firmly within the tribe of Manasseh. The chronicler’s inclusion of four sons suggests that the Shemidaite line flourished and maintained identity throughout Israel’s settlement and monarchy. Tribal Allotment and Clan Legacy During the second wilderness census (Numbers 26) each clan within Manasseh was counted so that land could be apportioned “by lot” (Numbers 26:55). When Joshua later distributed territory west of the Jordan (Joshua 17), the Shemidaite clan received its portion alongside five related houses. Although Scripture does not specify the exact boundaries of their allotment, archaeological surveys place Manassite towns such as Taanach, Megiddo, and Beth-shean inside the western inheritance. The clan’s presence would have contributed to securing trade routes through the Jezreel Valley and guarding access between the coastal plain and the hill country. Historical Setting The repeated mention of Shemida bridges three periods: 1. Exodus generation replacement (Numbers 26). This continuity testifies to God’s preservation of tribal structures despite warfare, societal upheaval, and eventual exile. Spiritual and Ministerial Insights 1. Individual worth within corporate identity – Even lesser-known families are counted by name; none are nameless before the Lord (Isaiah 43:1). Lessons for the Church Today • Record keeping is ministry – Accurate lists of members, workers, and resources mirror the biblical practice of honoring every part of the body. Summary Shemida exemplifies how Scripture weaves personal names into the larger tapestry of redemption. His clan’s appearance in census, conquest, and chronicling passages affirms that God’s promises operate through real families, real lands, and real histories—each essential to the unfolding plan ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations וּשְׁמִידָ֕ע ושמידע שְׁמִידָ֑ע שמידע šə·mî·ḏā‘ šəmîḏā‘ shemiDa ū·šə·mî·ḏā‘ ūšəmîḏā‘ ushemiDaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 26:32 HEB: וּשְׁמִידָ֕ע מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשְּׁמִידָעִ֑י NAS: and [of] Shemida, the family KJV: And [of] Shemida, the family INT: and Shemida the family of the Shemidaites Joshua 17:2 1 Chronicles 7:19 3 Occurrences |
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