Who was Shemaiah in the Bible?

Shemaiah was a descendant of the tribe of Simeon, specifically noted as the son of Shimri. He is listed among the family leaders who lived during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:37).

What is the significance of Shemaiah in the Bible?

His significance lies in his role as a clan leader during a time of religious reform under King Hezekiah. He and his family were part of the Simeonite expansion into new territory, as recorded in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles 4:34-43.

What did Shemaiah do in the Bible?

The Bible records that Shemaiah was a leader whose family, along with other Simeonites, migrated to seek pasture for their flocks. They conquered the Hamites and Meunites in the region of Gedor during the days of Hezekiah (1 Chronicles 4:38-41).

Shemaiah

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleFather of shimri

Shemaiah, a descendant of Simeon, son of Shimri.

Shemaiah

Biography

This Shemaiah was a member of the tribe of Simeon, identified in 1 Chronicles 4:37 as a descendant in the line that culminated in Ziza son of Shiphi son of Allon son of Jedaiah son of Shimri son of Shemaiah. He appears in the context of a Simeonite expansion account, in which leaders from Simeon led a successful military campaign against Hamite and Meunite populations during the reign of Hezekiah, finding pasture for their flocks. While Shemaiah himself is referenced only as an ancestor in this genealogical chain, the narrative suggests that his descendants were among the vigorous Simeonite clan leaders who actively pursued their tribal inheritance during the Divided Monarchy period.

Significance

Shemaiah's place in the Simeonite genealogy connects him to a line of descendants who actively sought and extended their tribal inheritance, a pattern consistent with the biblical mandate to possess the land God had given (Joshua 1:11). The account of the Simeonite expansion in 1 Chronicles 4:38–43 during Hezekiah's reign illustrates that even in the later monarchy, individual tribes continued to act as covenant communities with distinct identities and responsibilities. Shemaiah's ancestral role in this line demonstrates that the foundation of faithful generations supports the vitality and initiative of those who follow.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:37

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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