The Hebrew name Shimʻath, represented by H8100, is defined as annunciation. It is the name of an Ammonitess, appearing 2 times in 2 unique verses in the Bible. The name is consistently associated with the mother of a man involved in a royal conspiracy.
In the biblical narrative, H8100 Shimʻath is mentioned only in the context of her son's participation in a plot. The two accounts provide slightly different details. In 2 Kings 12:21, her son Jozachar is named as one of the king's servants who smote H5221 him so that he died H4191. The parallel account in 2 Chronicles 24:26 identifies her son as Zabad and explicitly states that Shimʻath H8100 was an Ammonitess.
Several related words are connected to the events surrounding Shimʻath and her son:
- H3108 Jôwzâkâr (Jehovah-remembered): This is the name given to the son of Shimʻath in the 2 Kings account of the conspiracy 2 Kings 12:21.
- H2066 Zâbâd (giver): This is the name given to the son of Shimʻath in the 2 Chronicles account, where he is listed as one of those who conspired H7194 against the king 2 Chronicles 24:26.
- H7194 qâshar (to tie, physically... or mentally... conspire): This root word is used in 2 Chronicles 24:26 to describe the action taken by the son of Shimʻath and his accomplice.
The significance of H8100 Shimʻath is tied directly to the narrative of regicide in the books of Kings and Chronicles.
- Foreign Ancestry: Her identity as an Ammonitess is highlighted in the account in 2 Chronicles, connecting a key conspirator to a foreign lineage 2 Chronicles 24:26.
- Maternal Link to Conspiracy: Shimʻath is known exclusively as the mother of one of the king's servants H5650 who rose up against him. Both primary occurrences link her name directly to one of the assassins (2 Kings 12:21; 2 Chronicles 24:26).
- Narrative Discrepancy: The two biblical accounts present a notable difference, naming her son as Jozachar in one 2 Kings 12:21 and Zabad in the other 2 Chronicles 24:26.
In summary, H8100 Shimʻath is a biblical figure defined entirely by her role as the mother of a conspirator. While her name means "annunciation," she is recorded in Scripture only in connection with the violent plot that led to a king's death. Her mention underscores the identity and parentage of those involved in this significant moment of royal betrayal.
TRV