Bible Word Study
שַׁמַּי
Shammay · Shammai, the name of three Israelites
שַׁמַּי
Shammai, the name of three Israelites
Definition
Shammay is a proper masculine name borne by three distinct individuals in the Old Testament genealogies. In 1 Chronicles 2:28, Shammay is listed as a son of Onam and a descendant of Judah through Jerahmeel. In 1 Chronicles 2:44-45, a different Shammay is recorded as a son of Rekem, also within the Jerahmeelite clan. Finally, in 1 Chronicles 4:17, a third Shammay is mentioned as a son of Mered from the tribe of Judah. The name itself carries a connotation of 'destructive' or 'desolate,' though this meaning is not directly applied to the character of the biblical figures.
Biblical Usage
The name Shammay is used exclusively in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles, specifically in chapters 2 and 4. All five occurrences (1 Chronicles 2:28, 2:32, 2:44, 2:45, 4:17) serve to establish lineage within the tribe of Judah, particularly through the line of Jerahmeel. Its usage is purely for identification within these family records, with no narrative stories attached to the individuals.
Etymology
The name Shammay (שַׁמַּי) is derived from the root שָׁמֵם (shamem, H8073), meaning 'to be desolate, appalled, or devastated.' It is a diminutive or gentilic form, likely meaning 'destructive one' or 'desolator.' This root is also seen in place names like Shammah and is related to the concept of utter ruin or astonishment.
Semantic Range
While the individuals named Shammay are not central theological figures, their inclusion highlights the importance of genealogies in the biblical narrative. They underscore God's faithfulness in preserving the lineage of Judah, from which the Messiah would come (Genesis 49:10). The name's etymology ('destructive') serves as a reminder of the human condition and the context of a fallen world into which God's redemptive plan unfolds. In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried significant meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or character traits. A name meaning 'destructive' might seem negative, but it could also imply strength or a formidable nature. Its use in genealogies emphasizes the importance of family heritage and tribal identity for land rights, social standing, and religious participation. Shammah (שַׁמָּה, H8048) — A similar name, also meaning 'desolation' or 'astonishment,' borne by several individuals, including one of David's mighty men. Shimei (שִׁמְעִי, H8096) — Another common Hebrew name, but derived from a different root (שָׁמַע, 'to hear').
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]