8113. Shimri

Lexical Summary

Shimri: Shimri

Original Word: שִׁמְרִי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Shimriy
Pronunciation: SHIM-ree
Phonetic Spelling: (shim-ree')
KJV: Shimri
NASB: Shimri
Word Origin: [from H8105 (שֶׁמֶר - aged wine) in its original sense]

1. watchful
2. Shimri, the name of four Israelites

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Shimri

From shemer in its original sense; watchful; Shimri, the name of four Israelites -- Shimri.

see HEBREW shemer

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from shamar
Definition
four Isr.
NASB Translation
Shimri (4).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

שֹׁמְרִי proper name, masculine usually Σαμαρει, etc.:

1 in Simeon, 1 Chronicles 4:37.

2 father of a hero of David 1 Chronicles 11:45.

3 Levites:

a. 1 Chronicles 26:10.

b.2Chronicles 29:13, Ζαμβρει, Σαμβρι.

Topical Lexicon

Occurrences and Genealogical Context

• 1 Chronicles 4:37 locates a Shimri in the tribe of Simeon as an ancestor of Ziza: “Ziza son of Shiphi, son of Allon, son of Jedaiah, son of Shimri, son of Shemaiah”. This positions him within post-exodus population movements when Simeonite families spread southward toward the Negev.
• 1 Chronicles 11:45 identifies Shimri as the father of Jediael, one of David’s elite warriors: “Jediael son of Shimri; Joha his brother, the Tizite”. Though living in obscure Tiz, Shimri produced a son who rose to national prominence in David’s standing army.
• 1 Chronicles 26:10 records a Levitical Shimri, chief of the gatekeepers descended from Hosah: “Hosah the Merarite had sons: Shimri was the chief (though he was not the firstborn, his father appointed him chief)”. The verse highlights a merit-based elevation above birth order.
• 2 Chronicles 29:13 lists another Levitical Shimri summoned by King Hezekiah to cleanse the Temple: “of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeiel”. He helped reopen worship after decades of neglect under Ahaz.

Roles in Israelite Society

1. Patriarchal head within Simeon—his name is preserved to certify the tribe’s continuity despite dispersion.
2. Progenitor of a mighty warrior—his household supplied manpower to David’s kingdom during its formative years.
3. Chief gatekeeper—he directed security and order at the sanctuary, illustrating that leadership could rest on competence rather than seniority.
4. Participant in Hezekiah’s reformation—he answered the royal call to consecrate himself and the Temple vessels, re-establishing proper worship.

Military Significance

By fathering Jediael, Shimri indirectly contributed to the Thirty, whose exploits secured Israel’s borders and David’s throne. This linkage underscores how faithful households can influence national destiny even when the parent remains largely anonymous.

Levitical Service and Worship Renewal

The two Levitical bearers of the name appear in different periods but share a common emphasis on temple ministry: one guarded the sacred precincts, the other purified them. Their presence at critical junctures—Solomonic worship maintenance and Hezekian reform—demonstrates an enduring family commitment to holiness and order in corporate worship.

Spiritual Lessons and Theological Themes

• God values faithfulness more than pedigree. In two separate texts Shimri or his descendants rise above customary primogeniture or geographic obscurity.
• Quiet obedience leaves a legacy. None of the men named Shimri perform headline deeds, yet their mention by the Chronicler shows that steady service advances God’s purposes.
• Reform begins with individuals. The Levite in 2 Chronicles 29 responded immediately, illustrating how personal consecration precedes national revival.

Legacy in Redemptive History

Though overshadowed by more famous figures, each Shimri forms a link in the chain leading from tribal settlement through united-monarchy triumphs to post-exilic hope. Their combined appearances remind readers that Scripture weaves small acts of duty into the larger tapestry pointing toward the ultimate, faithful Servant who secures and sanctifies His people.

Forms and Transliterations

שִׁמְרִ֔י שִׁמְרִ֖י שִׁמְרִ֤י שמרי shimRi šim·rî šimrî

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 4:37
HEB: יְדָיָ֥ה בֶן־ שִׁמְרִ֖י בֶּן־ שְׁמַֽעְיָֽה׃
NAS: the son of Shimri, the son
KJV: the son of Shimri, the son
INT: of Jedaiah the son of Shimri the son of Shemaiah

1 Chronicles 11:45
HEB: יְדִֽיעֲאֵל֙ בֶּן־ שִׁמְרִ֔י וְיֹחָ֥א אָחִ֖יו
NAS: the son of Shimri and Joha
KJV: the son of Shimri, and Joha
INT: Jediael the son of Shimri and Joha his brother

1 Chronicles 26:10
HEB: מְרָרִ֖י בָּנִ֑ים שִׁמְרִ֤י הָרֹאשׁ֙ כִּ֣י
NAS: had sons: Shimri the first
KJV: had sons; Simri the chief,
INT: of Merari had sons Shimri the first (although

2 Chronicles 29:13
HEB: בְּנֵי֙ אֱלִ֣יצָפָ֔ן שִׁמְרִ֖י [וִיעוּאֵל כ]
NAS: of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeiel;
KJV: of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel:
INT: the sons of Elizaphan Shimri Jeiel and from

4 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 8113
4 Occurrences

šim·rî — 4 Occ.