The Hebrew word Shimrath, represented by H8119, is a proper name meaning guardship. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. As a name, its significance is tied to its appearance in a specific genealogical record, identifying an Israelite individual.
The single biblical mention of Shimrath is found within a genealogical list in the book of 1 Chronicles. The verse simply names Shimrath as one of several individuals who are identified as the sons of Shimhi 1 Chronicles 8:21. This context establishes Shimrath's place within a specific family line but provides no further narrative detail about his life or actions.
The verse that names Shimrath also contains several other key names and terms that help define its genealogical context:
- H5718 ʻĂdâyâh (Jah has adorned; Adajah, the name of eight Israelites; Adaiah): This name appears alongside Shimrath in the same verse 1 Chronicles 8:21. The name Adaiah is found in other genealogies as well, such as in the lineage of the priests who served in the house of God 1 Chronicles 9:12.
- H1256 Bᵉrâʼyâh (Jah has created; Berajah, an Israelite; Beraiah): This individual is also listed as a brother of Shimrath 1 Chronicles 8:21. Like Shimrath, Beraiah is mentioned only in this specific lineage.
- H8096 Shimʻîy (famous; Shimi, the name of twenty Israelites; Shimeah (from the margin), Shimei, Shimhi, Shimi): This is the name of the father of Shimrath 1 Chronicles 8:21. The name Shimei appears in multiple other contexts, including in the lineage of Mordecai Esther 2:5.
- H1121 bên (a son): This crucial term for lineage is used to identify Shimrath and his brothers as "the sons of Shimhi" 1 Chronicles 8:21. The word is fundamental to biblical genealogies and the concept of generational continuity, as seen in the command to teach God's laws to "thy sons, and thy sons' sons" Deuteronomy 4:9.
While the name Shimrath itself carries no direct theological weight, its inclusion in scripture points to broader themes:
- Importance of Lineage: The primary function of naming individuals like Shimrath is to meticulously document the family and tribal lines of Israel. This preservation of heritage was critical for establishing identity within the covenant community 1 Chronicles 8:21.
- Individual in Community: Even a person mentioned only once is recorded as part of the whole. This highlights the biblical worldview that each individual has a place in the larger story of God's people, often defined by their identity as "sons" H1121 of a particular ancestor, like the "sons of Jacob" Malachi 3:6.
- Theophoric Names: The names listed with Shimrath, such as Bᵉrâʼyâh ("Jah has created") H1256 and ʻĂdâyâh ("Jah has adorned") H5718, often point to the character and work of God, reflecting a culture that embedded its faith into personal identity.
In summary, H8119 Shimrath is an Israelite name that appears a single time in scripture. Its significance is not found in narrative action but in its function as a marker within a biblical genealogy. Its presence, alongside others in the list of the "sons of Shimhi" 1 Chronicles 8:21, underscores the value scripture places on recording lineage, preserving communal identity, and acknowledging each individual within the history of Israel.
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