שֹׁמֵר (sho.mer)
sho.mer
Shomer
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shomer appears in two distinct biblical lineages, reflecting its root meaning of "keeper" or "guardian." In the genealogies of Asher, it identifies an ancestor named Shomer (also called Shemer) who lived before the monarchy, linking to his father Heber and brothers such as Japhlet and Hotham in 1 Chronicles 7:32–34.
A second figure bearing this name surfaces during the divided monarchy. Listed alongside his father Jehozabad or mother Shimrith in 2 Kings 12:21 and 2 Chronicles 24:26, he is one of the conspirators who assassinated King Joash. The recurrence of a name meaning "keeper" for both a tribal patriarch and a royal assassin creates a striking narrative contrast within the historical records.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shomer carries a simple but heavy weight: it means keeper or guardian. In the ancient world, being a keeper was not just a title; it was a daily responsibility for protecting family, land, and legacy. When we see this name in the records of Asher’s lineage, we are reminded that every generation has its guardians who hold the line for those who come after.
Yet the biblical record does not shy away from complexity. The same word appears in the story of King Joash’s assassination, where a man with this name becomes a betrayer rather than a protector. This contrast invites us to look inward. It asks whether we are using our strength and influence to guard what is good, or if we have drifted into roles that harm the community around us.
For your faith life, this word serves as a quiet mirror. It challenges you to consider who you are guarding in your own circle. Are you keeping promises? Are you protecting the vulnerable? The text suggests that true guardianship is found in loyalty and integrity, qualities that reflect the character of God Himself.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shomer1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שׁוֹמֵ֖ר1×