The Hebrew word Shᵉmâʻ, represented by H8090, is the name for Shema, a place in Palestine. Its base definition is derived from a related term for report or fame. This word is exceptionally specific, appearing just 1 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible, where it serves to identify a particular town.
The sole appearance of H8090 is in the book of Joshua, within a detailed list of the cities allotted to the tribe of Judah in the southernmost part of its territory. The verse lists it alongside two other towns, stating, "Amam, and Shema, and Moladah" Joshua 15:26. This placement firmly grounds the location within the geographical and historical context of Israel's settlement in the promised land.
The words associated with H8090 are the other towns listed in the same verse, which help to define its location:
- H538 ʼĂmâm: Defined as a gathering-spot; Amam, a place in Palestine. It is mentioned only in conjunction with Shema, highlighting their close geographical proximity Joshua 15:26.
- H4137 Môlâdâh: Meaning birth; Moladah, a place in Palestine. This town appears alongside Shema in Joshua 15:26 and is also mentioned in other allotment and census lists, including those in Joshua 19:2, 1 Chronicles 4:28, and Nehemiah 11:26, further cementing the region where Shema was located.
While a single place name has limited direct theological weight, its inclusion in scripture is significant.
- Historical Specificity: The mention of H8090 demonstrates the Bible's commitment to detailed historical and geographical record-keeping, particularly concerning the division of the promised land.
- Fulfillment of Promise: Its presence in the list of cities in Judah Joshua 15:26 is part of the larger narrative of God fulfilling His covenant promise to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham.
- Divine Allotment: The name functions as a marker within the sacred act of distributing the land by lot, a process overseen by God to provide an inheritance for each tribe.
In summary, H8090 Shᵉmâʻ is a precise geographical reference rather than a broad theological term. Its singular use in Joshua 15:26 serves a crucial purpose: to document the specific boundaries and cities of the inheritance given to the tribe of Judah. It stands as a testament to the detailed and historically-grounded nature of the biblical account of Israel's settlement.
TRV