Shemaiah
Shemaiah, a Levite who assisted in distributing the offerings during Hezekiah's reign.
Biography
This Shemaiah was a Levite who served as one of the officers responsible for distributing the freewill offerings and dedicated gifts to the priests in their cities during Hezekiah's religious reforms (2 Chronicles 31:15). Hezekiah's revival involved restoring proper tithing and the storehouse system, ensuring that the priests and Levites stationed throughout Judah received their portions. Shemaiah is listed among six Levites appointed under Kore the son of Imnah, the gatekeeper of the East Gate, to oversee the fair allocation of what the people had brought. His role in this administrative function reflects the serious organizational effort Hezekiah undertook to revive temple worship and support its ministers properly after the religious decline of his father Ahaz's reign.
Significance
Shemaiah's administrative role in Hezekiah's distribution system illustrates how genuine religious revival requires both spiritual and organizational renewal. Hezekiah's reforms, described in 2 Chronicles 29–31, are among the most thoroughgoing in the history of the monarchy, and the success of the offering distribution relied on trustworthy individuals like this Shemaiah. His service reflects the principle that the sustenance of the priestly and Levitical orders was a communal responsibility, requiring both generous givers and faithful stewards. The passage also foreshadows the New Testament theme of generous giving and responsible administration within the worshipping community (cf. 2 Corinthians 9:6–7).
Verse Appearances (1)
2Chr
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]