שַׁמְהוּת
Shamhuth, an Israelite
Definition
Shamhuth is a proper noun referring to an Israelite military commander, specifically mentioned as 'Shamhuth the Izrahite' in 1 Chronicles 27:8. He served as the leader of the fifth division of King David's army, responsible for 24,000 men during the fifth month of the year. The name itself, meaning 'desolation' or 'ruin,' is likely a shortened or variant form of the name Shammah (H8048), which carries a similar meaning. As a personal name, it identifies a specific individual within the historical and administrative records of David's kingdom.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 27:8. Its usage is strictly as a personal name within a list of David's military commanders and the monthly rotations of the army. The context is administrative and historical, documenting the organization of Israel's military forces during David's reign.
Etymology
Shamhuth (שַׁמְהוּת) is derived from the root שָׁמֵם (shamem), meaning 'to be desolate, appalled, or devastated.' It is explicitly noted as a form of the related name Shammah (H8048, שַׁמָּה), which also means 'desolation' or 'astonishment.' The '-huth' ending is a common Hebrew nominal suffix. Thus, the name essentially means 'a desolation.'
Semantic Range
While the name Shamhuth itself is not theologically loaded, its presence in 1 Chronicles contributes to the theological theme of God's sovereign ordering of His people. The detailed record of David's military organization, including commanders like Shamhuth, underscores God's establishment of order, leadership, and national stability under the Davidic covenant. It highlights that even administrative details are part of God's faithful governance of Israel.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often significant and descriptive. A name meaning 'desolation' might seem negative, but it could reflect circumstances at birth, a hope for divine intervention against enemies, or simply be a traditional family name. As a military commander, Shamhuth held a position of great honor and responsibility, indicating he was a trusted leader in David's kingdom, a society where military prowess and loyalty were highly valued.
Shammah (H8048) — The longer form or root name from which Shamhuth is derived, sharing the same core meaning of 'desolation.'
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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