The Hebrew word Shimʼâh, represented by H8039, is the name of an Israelite. It appears only 1 time in the entire Bible, within a single verse. The name is noted as being possibly related to Shimeam.
The sole appearance of H8039 is in a genealogical listing in the book of Chronicles. Shimah is identified as the son of Mikloth. The verse provides a brief but specific detail about his family, stating that they dwelt with their relatives in Jerusalem 1 Chronicles 8:32. This places Shimah and his family squarely within the central city of Israel, living among their kinsmen.
The context of Shimah's life is illuminated by several words in the surrounding text:
- H4732 Miqlôwth (rods; Mikloth, a place in the Desert; Mikloth): This is the name of Shimah's father, establishing his direct lineage. The name also appears in a list of rulers 1 Chronicles 27:4.
- H3205 yâlad (to bear young; causatively, to beget... to show lineage): This verb is used to connect Shimah to his father, Mikloth, emphasizing the importance of recording genealogies and family lines.
- H251 ʼâch (a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance)): This word specifies that Shimah's family lived alongside their "brethren," highlighting the communal and kinship-based nature of their settlement in Jerusalem.
- H3427 yâshab (properly, to sit down... by implication, to dwell, to remain): This term describes the family's established residence, indicating they were inhabitants of Jerusalem.
While the name Shimah itself does not carry explicit theological weight due to its single mention, its context points to several important biblical themes:
- Preservation of Lineage: The inclusion of H8039 in a detailed genealogy underscores the scriptural importance of maintaining a record of ancestry and familial identity.
- Community and Kinship: The verse highlights the significance of family units, noting that Shimah's family dwelt with their brethren 1 Chronicles 8:32. This reflects the biblical value placed on living in community.
- Dwelling in Jerusalem: By identifying the family as inhabitants of Jerusalem H3389, the text anchors this lineage to the religious and national center of Israel, connecting them to the heart of the covenant people.
In summary, H8039 is a name that appears once to identify an individual, Shimah, within a biblical genealogy. Its significance is derived entirely from its context, which serves to document a specific family line, establish their place within a broader kinship group, and record their residence in the significant city of Jerusalem. The mention of Shimah is a clear example of the Bible's detailed preservation of Israel's ancestral history.
TRV