שְׁמוּעָה (she.mu.ah)
she.mu.ah
tidings
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 21 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun shemuah refers to something heard, functioning as a report, news, or rumor. It is the feminine passive participle of the verb shama, meaning "to hear," so the word literally describes information that has reached the ears of listeners. This origin gives it a sense of immediacy; it is not abstract knowledge but a specific message conveyed from one person to another.
Its range covers both joyful and sorrowful updates. In 1 Samuel 4:19, it carries the heavy weight of tragic news about the loss of the Ark, while Proverbs 15:30 describes it as a "glad tidings" that brings health to the bones. The sources also note its use in Isaiah 53:1, where it refers to the message preached or reported regarding the servant, highlighting how this word can carry significant theological weight beyond mere gossip.
Translators often render shemuah as "rumor" when the context involves fear or uncertainty, such as in Jeremiah 49:14, but they use "report" or "news" for more neutral or positive contexts. This flexibility shows that the word itself is neutral; its moral tone depends entirely on the content of what was heard and the situation of those receiving it.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shemuah literally means something that has been heard. It is not abstract knowledge but a specific message passed from one person to another. This origin gives it a sense of immediacy. When you hear news, it lands directly in your ears and affects your heart. The Bible shows how this word carries both heavy sorrow and bright joy.
In 1 Samuel 4:19, tragic news about the loss of the Ark brings deep grief. Yet Proverbs 15:30 describes good tidings as health to the bones. Isaiah 53:1 uses it for the message of the Servant, showing that what we hear shapes our faith. Your heart is not meant to be swayed by every rumor. Instead, you are invited to anchor your spirit in truth.
Psalm 112:7 promises that a steadfast heart does not fear evil news because it trusts in Yahweh. This trust does not ignore reality but chooses where to place your hope. When difficult reports come, remember that your security rests in God’s character, not in the stability of worldly events. May you find peace in knowing that God hears all things and holds them in His hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 21 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ report6×
- a report6×
- and/ the/ report2×
- [the] message2×
- new[s]1×
- from/ new[s]1×
- at the/ report1×
- and/ reports1×
- and/ a report1×
- [the] report of1×
- <to>/ report/ our1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁמוּעָ֖ה2×
- הַ/שְּׁמוּעָ֖ה2×
- שְׁמוּעָה֙1×
- שְׁמוּעָֽה\׃1×
- שְׁמוּעָ֨ה1×
- שְׁמוּעָ֥ה1×
- שְׁמוּעָ֤ה1×
- שְׁמוּעָ֑ה1×
- שְׁמֻעָ֥ה1×
- שְׁמֻעַת֩1×
- מִ/שְּׁמוּעָ֣ה1×
- לִ/שְׁמֻעָתֵ֑/נוּ1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 4:19
His daughter-in-law, Phinehas’ wife, was with child, near to giving birth. When she heard the news that God’s ark was taken and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and gave birth; for her pains came on her.
This verse shows the word carrying the heavy weight of tragic news about the loss of the Ark, demonstrating its capacity to convey profound sorrow.
-
Proverbs 15:30
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart. Good news gives health to the bones.
Here the word describes glad tidings that bring physical and spiritual health, highlighting its positive potential when the message is good.
-
Isaiah 53:1
Who has believed our message? To whom has Yahweh’s arm been revealed?
The term refers to the reported message regarding the Servant, showing how it carries significant theological weight beyond mere gossip.
-
Psalms 112:7
He will not be afraid of evil news. His heart is steadfast, trusting in Yahweh.
This occurrence contrasts a steadfast heart with fear of evil news, illustrating the stability found in trusting Yahweh amidst troubling reports.