שִׁמְעַת

Shimath, an Ammonitess

Definition

Shimath is a proper name referring to an Ammonite woman, specifically identified as the mother of one of King Joash's assassins. In 2 Kings 12:21 and 2 Chronicles 24:26, she is called 'Shimath the Ammonitess,' indicating her foreign, non-Israelite origin. The name itself is the feminine form of the Hebrew word 'Shemah,' meaning 'report' or 'annunciation,' but in the biblical narrative, it functions solely as a personal identifier. Her story is directly tied to the violent conspiracy against King Joash of Judah, as her son, Jozabad, was among the servants who murdered the king in retaliation for the death of the priest Jehoiada's son.

Biblical Usage

This proper noun is used only twice in the Old Testament, in parallel historical accounts. It appears in 2 Kings 12:21 and 2 Chronicles 24:26, both detailing the conspiracy against King Joash. The usage is strictly as a personal name to identify the mother of a conspirator. The consistent descriptor 'the Ammonitess' highlights her nationality, a significant detail in the context of Judah's monarchy and its conflicts with surrounding nations.

Etymology

The name Shimath (שִׁמְעַת) is the feminine form of the masculine noun Shema (שֵׁמַע, H8088), which means 'a hearing,' 'a report,' or 'news.' It derives from the root verb שָׁמַע (shama, H8085), meaning 'to hear.' As a proper name, its meaning ('annunciation' or 'report') is likely symbolic or aspirational, a common practice in Hebrew naming, though the biblical text does not explore this meaning narratively.

Semantic Range

While the name Shimath itself is not theologically loaded, her inclusion in the biblical record is significant. As an Ammonitess, her presence in the royal court underscores the complex and often problematic relationships Judah had with foreign nations, including intermarriage (cf. Deuteronomy 23:3). Her son's role in regicide demonstrates the consequential nature of covenant unfaithfulness, as Joash's murder is portrayed as divine judgment for his apostasy after Jehoiada's death (2 Chronicles 24:24-25). It serves as a narrative footnote on the far-reaching consequences of sin within the leadership of God's people.

Identifying Shimath as an 'Ammonitess' immediately marked her as a foreigner from a nation historically hostile to Israel (Deuteronomy 23:3-4). In the cultural context of ancient Judah, this ethnic label carried weight, implying potential religious and social otherness. Her son having a position in the king's service suggests that foreign-born individuals could attain roles in the royal court, yet their ancestry remained a defining part of their identity in the historical record.

There are no direct synonyms for this proper name. It is linguistically related to: Shema (שֵׁמַע, H8088) — the masculine noun meaning 'report,' from which Shimath is derived.

Word Details

Scripture References