(Aramaic) corresponding to שָׁמַע; {to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)}; hear, obey.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic verb שְׁמַע (shᵉmaʻ, `{{H8086}}`) is the direct linguistic and semantic equivalent of the more frequently occurring Hebrew verb שָׁמַע (shamaʻ, `{{H8085}}`). At its most basic, it denotes the act of "hearing" or auditory perception. However, its semantic range extends significantly beyond mere physical sensation. Crucially, it encompasses the intelligent apprehension and understanding of what is heard. This often carries the implication of paying close attention, listening intently, and, most profoundly, responding with obedience or compliance. In a causative sense, it can also mean "to cause to hear," or "to tell" and "proclaim," indicating the act of making something known to others so that they may hear.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic term, שְׁמַע (shᵉmaʻ, `{{H8086}}`) is found exclusively in the Aramaic portions of the Old Testament, primarily in the books of Daniel and Ezra. Its usage in these contexts consistently reflects its broader semantic range:
* **Auditory Perception:** In Daniel, the word often refers to the perception of sound. For instance, in the account of Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, it is used in the decree that "every man who hears the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image" [[Daniel 3:10]]. Similarly, in [[Daniel 3:15]], the readiness to worship is contingent upon hearing these musical instruments.
* **Receiving Information/Understanding:** The verb can also signify the reception of information or understanding. Daniel is told by Belshazzar, "I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you" [[Daniel 5:14]], meaning Belshazzar had received reports or understood Daniel's reputation. In an idiomatic expression, it can describe the experience of something, as when King Darius "heard no sleep from him" [[Daniel 6:18]], meaning sleep did not come to him or he could not experience sleep.
* **Heeding/Obeying Decrees:** A significant use of שְׁמַע (shᵉmaʻ, `{{H8086}}`) in Ezra, particularly in the context of royal edicts, implies not just hearing but also intelligent apprehension and subsequent obedience. When the adversaries of Judah write to King Artaxerxes, they warn him that if Jerusalem is rebuilt, the Jews "will not pay tax, tribute, or custom, and you will damage the revenue of the kings" [[Ezra 4:13]]. The king's response, "issue a decree that these men be stopped" [[Ezra 4:21]], implies that his command is to be heard and obeyed. Similarly, Darius's decree concerning the rebuilding of the temple is to be "carried out with all diligence" [[Ezra 6:12]], underscoring the imperative of hearing and complying with royal commands. This sense of compliance is central to how decrees are handled in the Aramaic sections of Ezra, such as in [[Ezra 6:8]] and [[Ezra 6:13]].
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is the Hebrew counterpart, שָׁמַע (shamaʻ, `{{H8085}}`). The Aramaic שְׁמַע (shᵉmaʻ, `{{H8086}}`) functions as a direct cognate, carrying the same rich semantic nuances as its Hebrew counterpart. The Hebrew שָׁמַע (shamaʻ, `{{H8085}}`) is foundational to biblical theology, encompassing:
* **Auditory Perception:** Simply hearing a sound or voice (e.g., [[Genesis 3:8]]).
* **Attentive Listening:** Paying close attention, giving heed (e.g., [[Proverbs 1:8]]).
* **Understanding/Comprehension:** Grasping the meaning of what is heard (e.g., [[Deuteronomy 28:49]]).
* **Obedience/Compliance:** The most profound extension, where hearing implies a willing response and action (e.g., the Shema in [[Deuteronomy 6:4]], "Hear, O Israel...").
* **Divine Responsiveness:** God "hearing" prayer, signifying His attentiveness and willingness to respond to His people (e.g., [[Psalm 4:1]]).
Concepts closely related to שְׁמַע (shᵉmaʻ, `{{H8086}}`) therefore include obedience, attentiveness, understanding, covenant, and divine revelation, all of which are deeply embedded in the biblical narrative.
### Theological Significance
While שְׁמַע (shᵉmaʻ, `{{H8086}}`) itself appears in secular or administrative contexts within the Aramaic portions of Scripture, its theological significance is inextricably linked to the broader biblical concept of "hearing" as embodied by its Hebrew counterpart, שָׁמַע (shamaʻ, `{{H8085}}`).
The consistent demand in Scripture for humanity to "hear" God's voice, commands, and covenants implies a call to intelligent apprehension and, crucially, obedient response. Just as a royal decree in Daniel or Ezra must be heard, understood, and diligently executed by the subjects, so too are God's divine decrees and instructions to be received by humanity. The failure to "hear" in this comprehensive sense is often depicted as spiritual deafness, rebellion, or a rejection of divine authority. Conversely, God's act of "hearing" the prayers and cries of His people underscores His active involvement, compassion, and faithfulness to His covenant. The very act of proclaiming God's word (the causative sense of "to tell") is designed to elicit this comprehensive "hearing" from the audience, leading to faith and transformation.
### Summary
The Aramaic verb שְׁמַע (shᵉmaʻ, `{{H8086}}`) signifies "to hear," encompassing not only auditory perception but also intelligent understanding, attentive listening, and, most importantly, obedience. Found in the Aramaic sections of Daniel and Ezra, it frequently describes the reception and compliance with royal decrees, serving as a linguistic parallel to the profound theological concept of "hearing and obeying" God's voice in the Hebrew Scriptures. Its theological weight is best appreciated through its direct correspondence with the Hebrew שָׁמַע (shamaʻ, `{{H8085}}`), which underpins the covenant relationship between God and humanity. True "hearing" in the biblical sense is never passive; it demands an active, obedient response, forming the bedrock of faith and righteous living.
TRV