### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun **שְׁמִידָע** (Shᵉmîydâʻ, `{{H8061}}`) is a personal name, primarily understood through its etymological components. The base definition suggests a compound of **שֵׁם** (shem, `{{H8034}}`, "name") and **יָדַע** (yada, `{{H3045}}`, "to know"). Thus, the name is commonly interpreted as "name of knowing," "my name knows," or "name has known." This etymology suggests a person whose identity (name) is associated with knowledge, recognition, or perhaps even divine awareness. As a proper noun, its semantic range is limited to identifying a specific individual and, by extension, the lineage descending from him. The nuance of "knowing" in a personal name might imply a reputation for wisdom, a known lineage, or a name that is recognized and remembered.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Shemida (שְׁמִידָע, `{{H8061}}`) appears in the biblical record as a significant figure in the genealogies of the tribe of Manasseh. He is consistently identified as one of the sons of Gilead, who was a son of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. This places Shemida as a grandson of Manasseh and a tribal ancestor.
1. **[[Numbers 26:32]]**: In the census taken by Moses and Eleazar in the plains of Moab, Shemida is listed among the heads of the families of Manasseh: "of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites." This verse establishes him as the progenitor of a distinct clan within the tribe.
2. **[[Joshua 17:2]]**: When the land of Canaan was being allotted, Shemida is again mentioned as one of the "male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph according to their families." This reiterates his status as a tribal patriarch whose descendants received an inheritance in the Promised Land.
3. **[[1 Chronicles 7:19]]**: This genealogical record provides further detail, listing Shemida's own sons: "And the sons of Shemida were Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam." This verse confirms his role as a foundational figure for subsequent generations.
In all occurrences, Shemida is presented within a genealogical context, underscoring the importance of lineage and tribal identity in ancient Israel. His name, "name of knowing," would have been particularly fitting for an ancestor whose identity and descendants were meticulously recorded and "known" through generations.
### Related Words & Concepts
The name Shemida is composed of two fundamental Hebrew roots, **שֵׁם** (shem, `{{H8034}}`) and **יָדַע** (yada, `{{H3045}}`), which carry profound theological and conceptual weight throughout the Hebrew Bible.
* **שֵׁם (shem, `{{H8034}}`)**: "Name." More than a mere label, "name" in Hebrew thought often encapsulates the character, reputation, authority, and very essence of a person. God's name (e.g., Yahweh, Elohim) reveals His nature and power (cf. [[Exodus 3:13-15]], [[Psalm 8:1]]). To know someone's name is to know them intimately, and to call upon a name is to invoke their presence or authority. A "name of knowing" could therefore signify a person whose character was known, or whose identity was firmly established and recognized.
* **יָדַע (yada, `{{H3045}}`)**: "To know." This verb encompasses a wide range of meanings, from intellectual comprehension to experiential knowledge, intimate relationship (as in [[Genesis 4:1]], "Adam knew Eve"), and divine omniscience. When God "knows" His people, it implies a covenantal relationship and deep care (cf. [[Amos 3:2]], [[Jeremiah 1:5]]). For a human name to incorporate "knowing" suggests an emphasis on discernment, wisdom, or perhaps even a divine recognition of the individual or their lineage.
The combination of these two roots in Shemida's name points to a cultural value placed on identity and knowledge, perhaps reflecting a hope or expectation that his lineage would be known and recognized, or that he himself possessed a notable wisdom.
### Theological Significance
While Shemida is a personal name and does not directly convey a theological doctrine, its etymological meaning "name of knowing" offers a subtle theological resonance within the broader biblical narrative.
Firstly, the name implicitly highlights the biblical emphasis on **identity and recognition**. In a society where names often carried prophetic or descriptive significance, Shemida's name might have suggested a person whose identity was clear, whose lineage was known, and whose place within the covenant community was established. This aligns with God's meticulous knowledge of His people, where every individual is known by Him (cf. [[Psalm 139:1-6]], [[Isaiah 43:1]]).
Secondly, the concept of "knowing" (יָדַע, `{{H3045}}`) is central to the biblical understanding of **relationship with God**. To know God is to be in covenant with Him, to experience His presence, and to understand His ways. Conversely, God "knows" those whom He has chosen and set apart. While Shemida's name refers to human "knowing," it can be seen as a reflection of a worldview that values knowledge, particularly the knowledge that comes from divine revelation or experience. The fact that his name is preserved in sacred scripture underscores that his "name" was indeed "known" and remembered by God's people.
Finally, in a broader sense, the name reminds us that **God is the ultimate Knower**. He knows all names, all lineages, and all hearts. The preservation of names like Shemida in the biblical genealogies speaks to God's providential oversight of history and His meticulous attention to the details of His redemptive plan, which unfolds through specific families and individuals.
### Summary
Shemida (שְׁמִידָע, `{{H8061}}`) is a Hebrew personal name meaning "name of knowing" or "my name knows," derived from **שֵׁם** (shem, `{{H8034}}`, "name") and **יָדַע** (yada, `{{H3045}}`, "to know"). He is consistently identified in the biblical genealogies (e.g., [[Numbers 26:32]], [[Joshua 17:2]], [[1 Chronicles 7:19]]) as a grandson of Manasseh and the progenitor of a significant clan within that tribe. His name's etymology highlights the biblical importance of identity, reputation, and knowledge. While a human name, its meaning resonates with the broader theological themes of God's comprehensive knowledge of His creation and covenant people, and the significance of a known and established identity within God's redemptive plan. The preservation of Shemida's name in scripture attests to the lasting recognition of his lineage and the divine knowledge that orders all things.
TRV