שַׁמּוּעַ (sham.mu.a)
sham.mu.a
Shammua
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shammua, derived from a root meaning "to hear," carries the sense of one who is renowned or famous. In the Hebrew Bible, this title appears for four distinct individuals across different eras, linking the wilderness generation to the post-exilic community.
Most notably, it identifies two key figures: Shammua the spy from the tribe of Reuben (Numbers 13:4) and Shammua, son of King David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 5:14). The repetition of this name among Israel’s leaders suggests that being "heard" or recognized was a valued trait in biblical naming conventions.
The sources also record a Levite named Shammua during the time of Nehemiah and a priestly head in the family of Bilgah. These mentions show how names from the monarchy period persisted into the restoration era, connecting later Jews to their ancestral heritage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shammua comes from a Hebrew root meaning "to hear." In biblical culture, names were often chosen to reflect a prayer answered or a character trait hoped for in the child. When parents named their son Shammua, they were likely acknowledging that God had listened to them, perhaps in times of waiting or trouble. It is a reminder that our lives are shaped by divine attention.
Throughout Scripture, this name appears among leaders and priests, linking generations from the wilderness wanderings to the post-exilic restoration. This continuity shows how families maintained their identity and faith across centuries. For us today, it highlights the importance of listening to God and remaining connected to our spiritual heritage, trusting that He hears the prayers of His people just as He did for those ancient ancestors.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shammua5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁמּ֣וּעַ2×
- שַׁמּ֔וּעַ2×
- שַׁמּ֖וּעַ1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 13:4
These were their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
This verse identifies Shammua as a spy from Reuben, showing the name was used among tribal leaders during the wilderness generation.
-
II Samuel 5:14
These are the names of those who were born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon,
Here Shammua is listed as a son of David and Bathsheba, connecting the name to the royal lineage in Jerusalem.
-
Nehemiah 11:17
and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
This occurrence mentions Abda, son of Shammua, serving in prayer leadership during the restoration period.