שַׂלְמַי (sal.may)
sal.may
Shalmai
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shalmai, meaning "my thanks," identifies a specific individual listed in the genealogies of Ezra and Nehemiah. He is recorded as the head of a family during the return from Babylonian exile, appearing alongside his counterpart Shamlai in Ezra 2:46.
His household is categorized among the temple servants, or Nethinim, who assisted in the restoration of worship in Jerusalem under Zerubbabel. The variation between Shalmai and Shamlai in the text likely reflects common transliteration differences for the same person or closely related family leaders.
This brief mention highlights the structured nature of the post-exilic community. By naming these families, the biblical text preserves their identity and role, showing how ordinary households contributed to the rebuilding of Israel’s spiritual life after years in captivity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shalmai appears in the records of Ezra and Nehemiah, marking a family that returned from exile to help rebuild Jerusalem. These lists might seem like dry genealogies at first glance, but they reveal how God values every person who steps forward to serve. Shalmai’s household was part of the Nethinim, temple servants dedicated to assisting in worship and maintaining the sanctuary.
Seeing these names reminds us that our own contributions matter, even when they feel small or unnoticed. Just as Shalmai’s family played a role in restoring spiritual life after captivity, your faithful presence in your community today is part of God’s ongoing work. He remembers those who serve with quiet dedication, weaving their lives into the larger story of restoration and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shalmai2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁלְמָֽי\׃1×
- שַׁלְמַ֖י1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:46
the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,
This verse lists Shalmai (as Shamlai) among the temple servants, highlighting his family's specific role in supporting worship during the restoration.
-
Nehemiah 7:48
the children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Salmai,
The parallel record confirms the family's identity as Salmai, showing how their service was consistently recognized across different historical accounts.