שׁוּנֵם (shu.nem)
shu.nem
Shunem
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Shunem designates a specific town in the territory of Issachar, situated roughly five miles south of Mount Tabor. Etymologically, it is interpreted as "double resting place," a meaning that reflects the ancient practice of assigning meaningful labels to geographical locations.
Although it appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, the city holds significant narrative weight. It is most famously known as the home of the Shunammite woman who showed hospitality to the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-37). The text also mentions Shunem in Joshua 19:18 and 1 Samuel 28:12, anchoring it within the broader historical landscape of Israel’s settlement and monarchy.
Its brief but distinct appearances highlight its role as a setting for divine interaction. Rather than being a major political center, Shunem serves in Scripture as a backdrop for stories involving prophetic ministry and local community life, reminding readers that God’s work often unfolds in ordinary towns alongside the great cities of the ancient world.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Shunem appears in Scripture not as a capital city or a place of great political power, but as a quiet town where ordinary life intersected with divine presence. Its name suggests a place of rest, and its story reminds us that God often chooses unremarkable locations to work profound miracles. In the account of Elisha, this small community became the stage for an act of hospitality that changed everything.
When the Shunammite woman invited the prophet into her home, she did not know she was laying a foundation for future blessing. Her simple act of providing bread and shelter opened the door for God to restore life and hope in ways she could not have imagined. This narrative encourages us that our daily kindnesses and open doors may be part of a much larger story.
We do not need grand platforms or famous names to participate in God’s work. Shunem shows us that faithful presence in ordinary places matters deeply. Whether you are hosting a neighbor, offering a meal, or simply welcoming someone into your space, these small moments can become the backdrop for God’s grace to move.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- at/ Shunem1×
- and/ Shunem1×
- Shunem1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שׁוּנֵ֗ם1×
- וְ/שׁוּנֵֽם\׃1×
- בְ/שׁוּנֵ֑ם1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 4:8
One day Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman; and she persuaded him to eat bread. So it was, that as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat bread.
This verse marks the beginning of the Shunammite woman’s relationship with Elisha, showing how hospitality in a small town became the setting for prophetic ministry and future blessing.
-
I Samuel 28:4
The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.
Here Shunem serves as the military encampment site where Saul faces the Philistines, highlighting the town’s strategic location during Israel’s turbulent monarchy period.
-
Joshua 19:18
Their border was to Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
This reference places Shunem within the tribal allotment of Issachar, anchoring the town in the broader narrative of Israel’s settlement in the Promised Land.