שֶׁמֶר

שֶׁמֶר

Shemer, the name of three Israelites

Definition

Shemer is a proper noun referring to three distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The most prominent is the owner of the hill purchased by King Omri, who named the capital city built there Samaria (Shomron) after him (1 Kings 16:24). Another Shemer is listed as a Levite from the family of Merari (1 Chronicles 6:46). A third Shemer is noted as a descendant of Asher, the son of Helem (1 Chronicles 7:34), and his lineage is also referenced in the genealogy of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:12). The name is identical to the common noun meaning 'guard' or 'preservation,' which may have influenced its use.

Biblical Usage

The name Shemer appears exclusively in historical and genealogical contexts within the Old Testament. It is used in the historical narrative of 1 Kings 16:24 to explain the origin of Samaria's name. The other three occurrences are found in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles, specifically in the lineages of Levi (1 Chronicles 6:46), Asher (1 Chronicles 7:34), and Benjamin (1 Chronicles 8:12). There is no narrative action or dialogue directly involving these individuals beyond their listing.

Etymology

Shemer (שֶׁמֶר) is the same as the common noun shemer (H8105), which means 'a guard,' 'something preserved,' or 'dregs' (as in preserved lees of wine). As a proper name, it likely carried the sense of 'guardian' or 'preserver,' a thematic meaning common in Hebrew personal names which often express a characteristic or hope related to God's protection.

Semantic Range

While the name Shemer itself is not theologically loaded, its most significant appearance provides a crucial historical footnote: the naming of Samaria. This city became the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel and a central symbol of its idolatry and eventual judgment. Understanding that it was named for a private landowner, Shemer, underscores the human and political origins of a place that later gained profound theological significance as a center of apostasy (e.g., 1 Kings 16:29-33). In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and descriptive. Bestowing the name Shemer, meaning 'guard' or 'preservation,' likely reflected parental hopes for the child's character or divine protection. The transaction between Omri and Shemer for the hill (1 Kings 16:24) also reflects standard ancient Near Eastern property customs, where significant places could be named after former owners. Shomer (H8104) — The related verb meaning 'to keep, guard, preserve,' from which the noun/name Shemer is derived.

Word Details