שְׁמִירָמוֹת
Shemiramoth, the name of two Israelites
Definition
Shemiramoth is a proper name given to two distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The first is a Levite musician appointed by David to play the lyre during the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:18, 20). The second is a Levite teacher commissioned by King Jehoshaphat to instruct the people of Judah in the Law of the Lord (2 Chronicles 17:8). The name itself carries a meaning derived from its Hebrew components, signifying 'name of the heights' or 'renowned heights.'
Biblical Usage
The name Shemiramoth appears exclusively in the books of Chronicles. It is used in two primary contexts: liturgical worship and religious education. In 1 Chronicles 15:18, 20 and 16:5, Shemiramoth is listed among the Levitical musicians responsible for the musical celebration accompanying the Ark. In 2 Chronicles 17:8, a different Shemiramoth is named among the officials, Levites, and priests sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the law throughout the cities of Judah.
Etymology
The name Shemiramoth (שְׁמִירָמוֹת) is a compound word, likely derived from 'shem' (שֵׁם, H8034), meaning 'name' or 'renown,' and the plural form of 'ramah' (רָמָה, H7413), meaning 'height' or 'high place.' Thus, the name can be interpreted as 'name of the heights' or 'renowned heights.' An alternate spelling, Shemarimoth (שְׁמָרִימוֹת), appears in some texts, preserving a similar meaning.
Semantic Range
While a personal name, Shemiramoth's appearances highlight two vital, ongoing ministries in Israel: worship and instruction. The first Shemiramoth models the Levitical calling to lead God's people in celebratory, musical praise, a theme central to Chronicles. The second embodies the crucial task of teaching God's law to ensure the nation's covenant faithfulness. Understanding that the same name is borne by individuals in these two distinct, complementary roles subtly underscores the integrated nature of worship and obedience to God's word in the life of the community.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often held significant meaning, reflecting character, destiny, or divine attributes. A name meaning 'name of the heights' could imply a connection to exaltation, prominence, or possibly a theophoric element (relating to God). The individuals bearing this name served in highly respected societal roles—as a temple musician and a royal commissioner of religious law—both central to maintaining Israel's religious and cultural identity.
As a proper noun, direct synonyms are not applicable. However, it shares the root 'shem' (שֵׁם, H8034) with many other Hebrew names, such as Samuel (שְׁמוּאֵל, H8050) — 'name of God,' and Shemaiah (שְׁמַעְיָה, H8098) — 'Yahweh has heard.'
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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