שִׁמְרֹנִי
a Shimronite (collectively) or descendants of Shimron
Definition
Shimronite refers to a member of the Shimronite clan, a family group descended from Shimron, the fourth son of Issachar (Genesis 46:13, Numbers 26:24). In the biblical context, it specifically denotes a tribal affiliation within the larger tribe of Issachar. The term appears only in the collective sense, referring to the clan as a whole rather than an individual. Its sole biblical occurrence is in the census of the Israelites recorded in Numbers 26:24, where the Shimronites are counted among the clans of Issachar.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Numbers 26:24, within the context of the second wilderness census. It functions strictly as a gentilic noun, identifying a clan ('the Shimronites') descended from the patriarch Shimron. The usage is administrative and genealogical, serving to document the tribal subdivisions of Israel before their entry into the Promised Land. No other patterns or contextual variations exist, as it is a single-occurrence term.
Etymology
The word 'Shimronite' (שִׁמְרֹנִי) is formed patronymically from the proper name Shimron (שִׁמְרוֹן, H8110), meaning 'guard' or 'watch.' The suffix '-i' (ִי) in Hebrew typically indicates 'belonging to' or 'descended from.' Therefore, Shimronîy literally means 'of Shimron' or 'belonging to Shimron,' directly linking the clan's identity to its founding ancestor.
Semantic Range
While the term itself is primarily genealogical, its inclusion in the Numbers 26 census underscores the biblical theme of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to the patriarchs. The meticulous recording of each clan, including the Shimronites, demonstrates that God remembers and numbers His people as a distinct, organized nation. It highlights the importance of lineage and tribal identity within the structure of Israel, which was foundational for land inheritance and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the tribes.
In ancient Israelite society, clan and tribal identity were paramount for social structure, inheritance rights, and military organization. Being identified as a Shimronite placed an individual within a specific lineage of the tribe of Issachar, which determined their share in the tribal territory and their role within the community. This collective identity was more significant than modern individualistic concepts of family.
Yishvîy (יִשְׁוִי, H3441) — another clan of Issachar, descended from Ishvi. Punîy (פּוּנִי, H6324) — another clan of Issachar, descended from Puvah.
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.
Full methodology & sources →