Who was Shamsherai in the Bible?

Shamsherai was a descendant of Benjamin who lived in Jerusalem. He is mentioned only once in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 8:26 as a son of Jeroham.

Why is Shamsherai mentioned in the Bible?

His inclusion in the genealogy of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8) helps preserve the historical and tribal lineage of God's people. It shows the continuity of the tribe from which Israel's first king, Saul, came.

What is significant about Shamsherai living in Jerusalem?

It indicates that members of the tribe of Benjamin resided in Jerusalem, which was part of the territory of Benjamin. This detail helps connect the genealogical record to the historical geography of Israel.

Shamsherai

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon of jeroham

Shamsherai was a Benjamite descendant who lived in Jerusalem during the time of the genealogical records in 1 Chronicles.

Shamsherai

Biography

Shamsherai was a Benjamite, listed in 1 Chronicles 8:26 among the sons of Jeroham who resided in Jerusalem. The genealogical record in which he appears was likely compiled or edited in the post-exilic period and served to document the Benjamite families who had returned to, or had continuously occupied, Jerusalem after the exile. Benjamin was the tribe that, along with Judah, formed the southern kingdom and provided the core population base for post-exilic Judah. Shamsherai's name, which may carry a sense of "guardian" or "sun-like," is unique in the biblical corpus. His connection to Jerusalem places him in the sacred geography central to Israel's worship and national identity.

Significance

Shamsherai's inclusion among the Benjamite residents of Jerusalem reflects the theological importance Chronicles attaches to the reconstitution of Israel's tribal community in the holy city following the exile. The presence of Benjamites in Jerusalem alongside Judahites fulfilled earlier patterns of inter-tribal unity in worship and governance, stretching back to the United Monarchy when Saul of Benjamin and David of Judah shared leadership over Israel. The detailed genealogies of Chronicles affirm that God did not abandon the smaller or less prominent members of Israel's tribes; each family preserved in these records testifies to God's covenant faithfulness in restoring the full community of his people.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 8:26

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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