שִׁימוֹן (shi.mon)
shi.mon
Shimon
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 Shimon appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded as an ancestor in the genealogy of Judah found in 1 Chronicles 4:20. The sources identify him as a Judaite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy, placing him within the lineage that traces back to the tribe of Judah. He is listed specifically as the father of four children: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon.
Etymologically, the name is associated with the Hebrew root meaning "desert" or "hearing." While this word shares a phonetic similarity with the more famous name Shimon (Shimon) in Genesis 29:33, which means "he has heard," the lexicon data for this specific entry focuses on its occurrence as a proper noun in Chronicles. The connection to the desert landscape may reflect the geographical or cultural context of his family line within Judah.
Its significance lies in its role as a link in the historical record rather than in theological narrative. By preserving this name, the biblical text maintains the continuity of the tribal structure during a period often marked by political fragmentation. It serves as a reminder that even lesser-known figures are part of the broader story of Israel’s tribes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shimon appears in a single verse within the Hebrew Bible, recorded in the genealogy of Judah found in 1 Chronicles 4:20. This brief mention identifies him as an ancestor during the time of the Divided Monarchy and lists his four children: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan, and Tilon. While the text does not provide a narrative about his life or deeds, it preserves his name as part of the historical record of Israel's tribal structure.
For your faith, this entry offers a quiet reminder that God’s plan encompasses every generation, including those whose stories are told in passing. Even figures who appear only once in Scripture contribute to the continuity of God’s people. It encourages us to trust that our own lives, however ordinary they may seem, are woven into a larger, enduring story that God values and remembers.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shimon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׁימ֔וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 4:20
The sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben Hanan, and Tilon. The sons of Ishi: Zoheth, and Ben Zoheth.
This verse lists Shimon as the father of four children, anchoring his identity within the specific lineage of Judah during the Divided Monarchy.