Shammua
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Topical Encyclopedia
Shammua is a biblical name that appears in several contexts within the Old Testament. The name Shammua is derived from the Hebrew root "shama," meaning "to hear" or "to listen." This entry explores the different individuals named Shammua and their roles in biblical narratives.

1. Shammua, the Spy
Shammua, son of Zaccur, was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. He represented the tribe of Reuben in this reconnaissance mission. The account of the spies is found in the Book of Numbers:
"These were their names: from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur" (Numbers 13:4).
Shammua, along with the other spies, was tasked with assessing the land and its inhabitants. However, upon their return, ten of the spies, including Shammua, gave a discouraging report, leading to the Israelites' fear and rebellion against entering the Promised Land. This incident resulted in God's judgment, causing the Israelites to wander in the wilderness for forty years (Numbers 14:26-35).

2. Shammua, the Son of David
Another individual named Shammua is listed among the sons of King David. He was born to David in Jerusalem, as recorded in the genealogical accounts:
"These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon" (1 Chronicles 3:5).
Shammua's mother was Bathsheba, making him a full brother to Solomon. While little is detailed about Shammua's life and deeds, his inclusion in the genealogical records underscores his place within the royal lineage of David.

3. Shammua, the Priest
A priest named Shammua is mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah. He was among the priests who returned from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Shammua participated in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, a significant event in the post-exilic restoration of the city:
"The leaders of the priests came up with trumpets, and also Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph, and his associates—Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani—with the musical instruments prescribed by David the man of God. Ezra the scribe led the procession" (Nehemiah 12:35-36).
Shammua's role in this event highlights the continuity of priestly duties and the importance of worship in the life of the restored community.

In summary, the name Shammua is associated with individuals who played roles in significant biblical events, from the exploration of Canaan to the royal lineage of David, and the restoration of Jerusalem's religious life. Each mention of Shammua contributes to the rich tapestry of Israel's history as recorded in the Scriptures.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Shammua

(renowned).

  1. Reubenite spy, son of Zaccur. (Numbers 13:4) (B.C. 1490.)
  2. Son of David, by his wife Bathsheba. (1 Chronicles 14:4) (B.C. 1045.)
  3. A Levite, the father of Abda. (Nehemiah 11:17) The same as SHEMAIAH, 6.
  4. The representative of the priestly family of Bilgah or Bilgai, in the days of Joiakim. (Nehemiah 12:18) (B.C. about 500.)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Heard.

(1.) One of the spies sent out by Moses to search the land (Numbers 13:4). He represented the tribe of Reuben.

(2.) One of David's sons (1 Chronicles 14:4; 3:5, "Shimea;" 2 Samuel 5:14).

(3.) A Levite under Nehemiah (11:17).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SHAMMUA; SHAMMUAH

sha-mu'-a, sham'-u-a (shammua`):

(1) The Reubenite spy (Numbers 13:4, Samouel, and other forms).

(2) One of David's sons (2 Samuel 5:14 1 Chronicles 14:4, Sammous). In 1 Chronicles 3:5 he is called "Shimea."

(3) A Levite (Nehemiah 11:17); he is called "Shemaiah" in 1 Chronicles 9:16. (4) The head of a priestly family (Nehemiah 12:18); a contemporary of Joiakim.

Strong's Hebrew
8051. Shammua -- three Israelites
... Shammua. 8052 . three Israelites. Transliteration: Shammua Phonetic Spelling:
(sham-moo'-ah) Short Definition: Shammua. ... NASB Word Usage Shammua (5). ...
/hebrew/8051.htm - 6k
Thesaurus
Shammua (6 Occurrences)
...SHAMMUA; SHAMMUAH. sha-mu'-a, sham'-ua (shammua`): (1) The Reubenite spy (Numbers
13:4, Samouel, and other forms). ...Shammua (6 Occurrences). ...
/s/shammua.htm - 9k

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)
... Mindful. (1.) Father of Shammua, who was one of the spies sent out by Moses
(Numbers 13:4). (2.) A Merarite Levite (1 Chronicles 24:27). ...
/z/zaccur.htm - 11k

Sham'mu-a (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sham'mu-a (3 Occurrences). Numbers 13:4 And these were
their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. (See RSV). ...
/s/sham'mu-a.htm - 7k

Shimea (6 Occurrences)
... The hearing prayer. (1.) One of David's sons by Bathsheba (1 Chronicles 3:5); called
also Shammua (14:4). ... SHIMEA. shim'-ea (shim`a'): See SHAMMUA and SHAMMAH. ...
/s/shimea.htm - 9k

Abda (2 Occurrences)
... This "Abda the son of Shammua" is in the partly duplicate passage in (1 Chronicles
9:16) called "Obadiah the son of Shemaiah.". Multi-Version Concordance ...
/a/abda.htm - 8k

Sham'mua (1 Occurrence)
Sham'mua. Shammua, Sham'mua. Sham'mu-a . Multi-Version Concordance Sham'mua
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Shammua, Sham'mua. Sham'mu-a . Reference Bible.
/s/sham'mua.htm - 6k

Shammuah (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHAMMUA; SHAMMUAH. sha-mu'-a, sham'-ua (shammua`):
(1) The Reubenite spy (Numbers 13:4, Samouel, and other forms). ...
/s/shammuah.htm - 7k

Shobab (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 5:14 These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua,
and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT ...
/s/shobab.htm - 8k

Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)
... (6) A Levite of the family of Jeduthun, father of Obadiah or Abda (1 Chronicles
9:16, Sameia, Codex Alexandrinus Samias, called "Shammua" in Nehemiah 11:17). ...
/s/shemaiah.htm - 29k

Nathan (42 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 5:14 These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua,
and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT ...
/n/nathan.htm - 29k

Resources
How many children did King David have? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the sons of David mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Shammua (6 Occurrences)

Numbers 13:4
These were their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

2 Samuel 5:14
These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 3:5
and these were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel;
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 14:4
These are the names of the children whom he had in Jerusalem: Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Nehemiah 11:17
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Nehemiah 12:18
of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Shammua

Shammua: A Levite, Father of Abda

Shammua: A Levite, Father of Abda: Called Shemaiah

Shammua: A Priest

Shammua: The Representative of the Tribe of Reuben Among the Twelve Spies Sent Into Canaan

Related Terms

Shammua (6 Occurrences)

Sham'mu-a (3 Occurrences)

Shammoth: One of David's Mighty Men
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