שַׁמּוֹת (sham.mot)
sham.mot
Shammoth
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 Shammoth (שַׁמּוֹת) appears in Scripture as an alternative designation for Shammah, one of King David’s elite thirty warriors. This variant occurs specifically in 1 Chronicles 11:27, where he is identified as the Harodite, while the parallel account in 2 Samuel 23:25 uses the more common form Shammah. The name itself derives from a root meaning "desolation" or "destruction," creating a striking contrast with his role as a defender of Israel.
Lexical sources note that this linguistic shift highlights how personal names in ancient Israel often carried heavy, sometimes ominous, meanings while the bearers performed acts of courage. By recording both forms, the biblical text preserves the historical memory of these soldiers without imposing a single standardized spelling. The variation serves as a reminder of the diverse oral and written traditions that shaped the records 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 Shammoth carries a weight that might surprise us. Derived from a root meaning desolation or destruction, it stands in stark contrast to the courage of the man who bore it. In 1 Chronicles 11:27, he is listed among David’s elite warriors, a defender standing firm against enemies. This juxtaposition reminds us that our identities in God are not defined by past brokenness or fearful labels, but by His purpose for us.
Scripture preserves both this form and the more common Shammah, showing that God values diverse voices and traditions. You do not need to erase your history or your scars to be used mightily. Instead, bring your whole self to Him. He can take what feels like emptiness or ruin and turn it into a place of strength and service for His kingdom.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shammoth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שַׁמּוֹת֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 11:27
Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
This verse records the specific variant name Shammoth, highlighting how the biblical text preserves different oral traditions alongside the more common form Shammah.