Who was Shelomoth in the Bible?

Shelomoth was a Levite from the family of Gershon, specifically the son of Shimei (1 Chronicles 23:9). As a Levite, his role was to assist the priests in the service of the tabernacle and later the temple.

What is the significance of Shelomoth?

Shelomoth's significance lies in his lineage, which established the duties and divisions within the Levitical priesthood. His listing in the genealogies (1 Chronicles 23) confirms the organization of temple workers during King David's reign.

Are Shelomoth and Shelomith the same person?

Yes, Shelomoth and Shelomith are variant spellings of the same Hebrew name, referring to the same Levite figure. The name appears as Shelomith in some translations of 1 Chronicles 23:9.

Shelomoth

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleLevite

Shelomoth (or Shelomith), Levites of the family of Shimei, son of Gershon.

Shelomoth

Biography

Shelomoth (also rendered Shelomith) was a Levite belonging to the family of Shimei, son of Gershon, one of the three principal sons of Levi. The Gershonite branch of the Levitical order carried responsibility for the coverings and curtains of the tabernacle during the wilderness period, and descendants such as Shelomoth continued this tradition of sacred service through the monarchy era. Mentioned in the genealogical and organizational records of 1 Chronicles, Shelomoth represents the careful preservation of tribal identity and priestly lineage that characterized Israelite religious life. His placement within the Divided Monarchy period suggests involvement in the ongoing Levitical duties assigned to maintain temple worship and the administrative structures supporting Israel's cultic life.

Significance

Shelomoth's inclusion in the Levitical genealogies underscores the theological principle that faithful service to God is preserved across generations. The Gershonite line, to which he belonged, was specifically ordained for the sacred work of the sanctuary (Numbers 3:21–26), illustrating that each clan had a divinely appointed role in the covenant community's worship. His record serves as a reminder that Scripture honors not only heroic figures but also those who served faithfully in supporting roles, affirming that all forms of consecrated service contribute to God's redemptive purposes.

Verse Appearances (3)

1Chr

1Chr 26:25 1Chr 26:26 1Chr 26:28

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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