Who was Shimon in the Bible?

Shimon was a son of Judah and a descendant of Caleb, mentioned in the genealogy of the tribe of Judah. He is listed as one of Judah's sons in 1 Chronicles 4:1, establishing his place in the lineage of Israel's tribes.

Why is Shimon significant in the Bible?

Shimon's significance lies primarily in his genealogical role, helping to trace the lineage of the tribe of Judah. This lineage is important as it leads to King David and, ultimately, to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:3-6).

What key events happened in Shimon's life?

The Bible does not record specific events from Shimon's life beyond his inclusion in the genealogy. His mention serves to document the family structure and heritage of the tribe of Judah, as seen in 1 Chronicles chapters 2 and 4.

Shimon

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleSon

Shimon was a son of Judah and a descendant of Caleb, mentioned in the genealogy of Judah.

Shimon

Biography

Shimon was a member of the tribe of Judah, identified as a son within the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 4, within the broader lineage descending from Caleb. The Calebite clans of Judah were known for their military prowess and territorial ambition, with Caleb himself having been one of the two faithful spies who urged Israel to enter Canaan (Numbers 14:6–9). Shimon's inclusion in this genealogy positions him among the sub-clans of Judah that preserved their ancestral heritage through careful record-keeping during the Divided Monarchy. While no narrative details about his personal history survive, his listing among the sons of Judah reflects the importance of tribal memory in maintaining the social and legal structure of Israelite society.

Significance

Shimon's place in the genealogy of Judah illustrates the biblical pattern of recording even minor figures within the messianic tribe, underscoring the theological significance of Judah's lineage as the bearer of the royal and ultimately messianic promise (Genesis 49:10). Every named individual in Judah's genealogical tree participates, however distantly, in the long chain of ancestors through whom God would bring forth the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Such records also remind readers that redemptive history is woven through ordinary family lines, not merely the famous and powerful, affirming the dignity of each person within the covenant community.

Authority Records

Wikidata

Verse Appearances (1)

1Chr

1Chr 4:20

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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