Who was Shimei in the Bible?

Shimei was a Benjamite, a descendant of Shimei the son of Elpaal. He is listed among the family heads who lived in Jerusalem after the exile (1 Chronicles 8:21).

What is the significance of Shimei in the Bible?

His significance lies in his genealogical record, which connects him to the tribe of Benjamin and the post-exilic community in Jerusalem. This helps establish the continuity of Israel's tribes after their return from captivity.

What key events was Shimei involved in?

The Bible does not record specific events in his life. His mention is primarily genealogical, listing him as a resident of Jerusalem and a leader of his clan during the time of Nehemiah (1 Chronicles 8:21, 32).

Shimei

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Shimei was a Benjamite descendant of Shimei, the son of Elpaal.

Shimei

Biography

Shimei, a Benjamite and son of Elpaal, is listed in the genealogical records of the tribe of Benjamin preserved in 1 Chronicles 8. The sons of Elpaal formed a notable sub-clan within Benjamin, and several of them are individually named as heads of families in their ancestral towns. Shimei's mention in this context situates him among the Benjamite patriarchs who helped shape tribal identity during the era of the Divided Monarchy. Benjamin was a small but strategically significant tribe, being the home of Israel's first king Saul, and remaining politically important throughout the monarchic period. Shimei's genealogical record preserved his memory as part of this storied tribal heritage.

Significance

Shimei son of Elpaal illustrates the biblical concern for complete genealogical record-keeping within the tribe of Benjamin. Benjamin's tribal records carried heightened importance given the tribe's role in Israel's monarchy and its complex history of near-extinction and restoration (Judges 20–21). The careful preservation of such names reflects the theological conviction that God's covenant community is constituted by real, historically rooted individuals. These genealogies also served the post-exilic community in reestablishing land rights and tribal identity upon return from Babylon, demonstrating that such records were not mere antiquarian interest but functionally vital to covenant life.

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 8:21

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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