Shemaiah
Shemaiah, a descendant of Adonikam who returned to Jerusalem with Ezra.
Biography
This Shemaiah appears among the descendants of Adonikam who accompanied Ezra on the historic return journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, likely around 458 BC (Ezra 8:13). Listed among the last contingent of Adonikam's sons, Eliphelet, Jeuel, and Shemaiah, he was part of the 666 total descendants of that family who returned. His inclusion in Ezra's carefully documented register indicates he was a recognized member of the returning community. The journey itself was a perilous undertaking of several months, traveling roughly 900 miles through potentially hostile territory. Ezra refused a military escort, trusting entirely in God's protection, and the safe arrival of all who returned, including this Shemaiah, confirmed that trust.
Significance
Though mentioned only in a genealogical list, this Shemaiah's participation in the return under Ezra carries profound theological weight. The restoration of exiles to the promised land was a fulfillment of prophetic promises found in Jeremiah 29 and Isaiah 40–55. Each named returnee represents the continuity of the covenant community, demonstrating that God had not abandoned his people despite the catastrophe of exile. Shemaiah's presence among Adonikam's descendants underscores the theme of divine faithfulness across generations, as families fragmented by Babylonian captivity were reassembled and restored to their ancestral homeland.
Verse Appearances (1)
Ezra
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]