שַׁמְהוּת (sham.hut)
sham.hut
Shamhuth
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 Shamhuth appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in 1 Chronicles 27:8 as the commander of the military division serving during the fifth month under King David. The term itself derives from a root meaning desolation or devastation, a stark contrast to his role as a protector of the kingdom. This juxtaposition is notable, as personal names in ancient Israel often reflected theological hopes or divine characteristics rather than literal descriptions of current circumstances.
While the name suggests ruin, its usage here identifies a specific leader within David’s organized army structure. The sources note potential textual variations or related forms such as Shammoth and Shammah, which share similar roots but carry distinct nuances like "hearing" or "desolation." This single mention preserves the memory of an official who helped maintain order during a period of national consolidation, embedding his identity within the broader narrative of David’s reign.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shamhuth appears only once in Scripture, recorded in 1 Chronicles 27:8 as a commander of David’s military division. The word itself carries a heavy meaning, relating to desolation or devastation. It might seem strange to give such a name to a leader tasked with protecting the kingdom, yet this contrast reveals something profound about ancient Israelite faith.
Names in that culture often reflected theological hopes or divine attributes rather than literal descriptions of current circumstances. Even when surrounded by the threat of ruin, the people trusted in God’s preservation. This single mention reminds us that our roles and identities are not defined by the chaos around us, but by our faithful service to God.
Shamhuth’s story invites us to consider how we serve in difficult seasons. We may face situations that feel like desolation, yet we are called to stand firm in our duties. His name serves as a quiet witness that God can use anyone, regardless of their name or background, to maintain order and bring stability to a broken world.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shamhuth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁמְה֣וּת1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 27:8
The fifth captain for the fifth month was Shamhuth the Izrahite. In his division were twenty-four thousand.
This verse identifies Shamhuth as the commander for the fifth month, anchoring his name within the specific administrative structure of David’s army.