Lexical Summary Shimath: Shimath Original Word: שִׁמְעַת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shimath Feminine of shema'; annunciation; Shimath, an Ammonitess -- Shimath. see HEBREW shema' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shama Definition an Ammonite woman NASB Translation Shimeath (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs שִׁמְעָת proper name, feminine2Chronicles 24:26 mother of one of Joash's murderers, 2 Kings 12 :22 (Ιεμουαθ), called Ammonitess 2 Chronicles 24:26 (Σαμα(αθ)). Topical Lexicon Biblical occurrences Shimeath appears twice in the Old Testament, always as “Shimeath the Ammonitess,” mother of one of the royal officials who assassinated King Joash of Judah. Historical setting Joash began his reign under the godly influence of the priest Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:1-14). After Jehoiada’s death, the king forsook the temple of the LORD, tolerated idolatry, and murdered the prophet Zechariah (24:17-22). Divine judgment followed: Aramean raiders wounded Joash (24:23-24), and shortly afterward his own servants conspired against him. The chronicler highlights the maternal lineage of the conspirators, calling attention to Ammonite and Moabite connections—nations traditionally hostile to Israel (Deuteronomy 23:3; Judges 3:12-30). Shimeath’s Ammonite identity thus serves the narrative purpose of showing how foreign influence penetrated the royal household and became an instrument of retribution. Theological implications 1. Covenant accountability. Joash violated covenant obligations by turning to idols and shedding innocent blood (2 Chronicles 24:22). His death at the hands of subordinates—one descended from an Ammonitess—demonstrates that neither royal status nor national pedigree shields anyone from God’s justice (Numbers 32:23; Galatians 6:7). Lessons for ministry • Spiritual momentum must be sustained. Joash’s early zeal dissipated when godly mentorship ceased; leaders today must cultivate personal conviction rather than rely solely on external guidance (2 Timothy 3:14-15). Intertextual connections • Ammon’s historic enmity: Judges 11; 2 Samuel 10. Shimeath’s brief mention therefore amplifies enduring themes of faithfulness, accountability, and God’s sovereign orchestration of history, demonstrating that even seemingly minor characters serve significant roles in the unfolding biblical narrative. Forms and Transliterations מעת שִׁ֠מְעָת שִׁמְעָת֙ שמעת mə‘āṯ mə·‘āṯ meat shimAt šim‘āṯ šim·‘āṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 12:21 HEB: וְיוֹזָבָ֣ד בֶּן־ שִׁ֠מְעָת וִיהוֹזָבָ֨ד בֶּן־ NAS: the son of Shimeath and Jehozabad KJV: the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad INT: Josabad the son of Shimeath and Jehozabad the son 2 Chronicles 24:26 2 Occurrences |
    |