Shemiramoth
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Shemiramoth is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the Levitical duties and the musical worship in the time of King David. The name Shemiramoth is of Hebrew origin, and while its exact meaning is uncertain, it is often associated with the idea of "name of heights" or "most high name."

Biblical References:

1. 1 Chronicles 15:18, 20 · Shemiramoth is listed among the Levites appointed by King David to be musicians and singers as the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. The passage states: "And with them their brothers of the second rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel, the gatekeepers." In verse 20, Shemiramoth is mentioned again as one of those who played the lyres.

2. 1 Chronicles 16:5 · Shemiramoth is again mentioned as part of the group of Levites who ministered before the Ark of the LORD. The verse reads: "Asaph was the chief, and Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals."

3. 2 Chronicles 17:8 · In the reign of King Jehoshaphat, Shemiramoth is listed among the Levites sent to teach in the cities of Judah. The passage states: "With them were certain Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, along with the priests Elishama and Jehoram." This highlights his role in the religious education and spiritual instruction of the people.

Role and Significance:

Shemiramoth's role as a Levite and musician underscores the importance of worship and music in the religious life of Israel. His involvement in the transportation of the Ark and the subsequent worship services indicates his dedication to the sacred duties assigned to the Levites. The Levites were set apart for the service of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, and their responsibilities included teaching the Law, leading worship, and maintaining the holy places.

The mention of Shemiramoth in the context of King Jehoshaphat's reforms further emphasizes the ongoing need for spiritual leadership and instruction in the history of Israel. The Levites, including Shemiramoth, played a crucial role in guiding the people back to the worship of Yahweh and adherence to His commandments.

Cultural and Theological Context:

In the broader cultural and theological context, Shemiramoth's participation in the musical and educational aspects of worship reflects the holistic approach to worship in ancient Israel. Music was not merely an artistic expression but a vital component of worship that facilitated the congregation's connection with God. The Levites, as custodians of the sacred traditions, were instrumental in preserving and transmitting the faith to successive generations.

Shemiramoth's presence in these key biblical narratives serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of the Levitical ministry and its impact on the spiritual life of the nation. His contributions, though briefly mentioned, are part of the larger tapestry of Israel's history and its relationship with God.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Shemiramoth

the height of the heavens

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Most high name.

(1.) A Levite in the reign of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:8).

(2.) A Levite in David's time (1 Chronicles 15:18, 20).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SHEMIRAMOTH

she-mir'-a-moth, she-mi'-ra-moth, shem-i-ra'-moth (shemiramoth; in 2 Chronicles 17:8, Kethibh shemiramoth; Semeiramoth): The name of a Levitical family. In 1 Chronicles 15:18, 20; 1 Chronicles 16:5 Shemiramoth is listed among the names of David's choirs; in 2 Chronicles 17:8 the same name is given among the Levites delegated by Jehoshaphat to teach the Law in the cities of Judah. According to Schrader (KAT (2), 366) the name is to be identified with the Assyrian Sammuramat; the latter occurs as a woman's name on the monuments, more especially on the statues of Nebo from Nimrod. Another suggestion is that Shemiramoth was originally a place-name meaning "image of Shemiram" (= name of Ram or "the Exalted One").

Horace J. Wolf

Strong's Hebrew
8070. Shemiramoth -- probably "name of heights," two Levites
... Shemiramoth. 8071 . probably "name of heights," two Levites. Transliteration:
Shemiramoth Phonetic Spelling: (shem-ee-raw-moth') Short Definition: Shemiramoth ...
/hebrew/8070.htm - 6k
Library

Jehoshaphat's Reform
... to teach in the cities of Judah.8. And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah,
and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asabel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jehoshaphats reform.htm

Thesaurus
Shemiramoth (4 Occurrences)
... (2.) A Levite in David's time (1 Chronicles 15:18, 20). Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. SHEMIRAMOTH. she-mir'-a-moth, she-mi'-ra ...
/s/shemiramoth.htm - 9k

Shemi'ramoth (4 Occurrences)
Shemi'ramoth. Shemiramoth, Shemi'ramoth. Shemites . Multi-Version Concordance
Shemi'ramoth (4 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 15:18 and ...
/s/shemi'ramoth.htm - 7k

Zechari'ah (51 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:18 and with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah,
Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah ...
/z/zechari'ah.htm - 20k

Jehi'el (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:18 and with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah,
Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah ...
/j/jehi'el.htm - 9k

Jehiel (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:18 and with them their brothers of the second degree, Zechariah,
Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah ...
/j/jehiel.htm - 16k

Eli'ab (19 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:18 and with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah,
Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah ...
/e/eli'ab.htm - 11k

Benai'ah (43 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:18 and with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah,
Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah ...
/b/benai'ah.htm - 18k

Eliab (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:18 and with them their brothers of the second degree, Zechariah,
Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah ...
/e/eliab.htm - 15k

Unni (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:18 and with them their brothers of the second degree, Zechariah,
Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah ...
/u/unni.htm - 8k

O'bed-e'dom (14 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:18 and with them their brothers of the second degree, Zechariah,
Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah ...
/o/o'bed-e'dom.htm - 10k

Resources
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Concordance
Shemiramoth (4 Occurrences)

1 Chronicles 15:18
and with them their brothers of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 15:20
and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with stringed instruments set to Alamoth;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 16:5
Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

2 Chronicles 17:8
and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Shemiramoth

Shemiramoth: A Levite Musician

Shemiramoth: A Levite Sent by Jehoshaphat to Instruct the People in the Law

Related Terms

Shemiramoth (4 Occurrences)

Shemites

Shem'inith
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