שְׁמֹנִים (she.mo.nim)
she.mo.nim
eighty
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 31 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word shemonim means eighty, serving as both a cardinal number and an ordinal form for eightieth. It appears thirty-one times in the Old Testament, most frequently within Genesis, 2 Chronicles, and 2 Kings. The term often functions as part of larger numerical expressions, such as "fourscore," to denote specific ages or counts.
Its usage provides precise historical markers, particularly in genealogies and royal records. For instance, Genesis 5:25 states that Lamech lived eighty years before fathering Noah, while 1 Kings 6:1 uses it to date the construction of Solomon’s temple in the four hundred and eightieth year after the Exodus. In Chronicles, it helps quantify military forces and administrative details, grounding biblical narratives in concrete timelines.
The word derives from the root for eight, extending its meaning through multiplicative formation. Translators typically render it simply as "eighty" or "eightieth," preserving the straightforward arithmetic nature of the original text without adding metaphorical weight. This clarity allows readers to track ages and dates with exactness throughout the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shemonim anchors biblical history in concrete reality. It appears thirty-one times, often marking specific ages or counting people in military and religious records. This precision reminds us that God cares about the details of human life, from the lifespan of patriarchs to the size of temple choirs.
When Exodus 7:7 notes Moses was eighty years old before confronting Pharaoh, it shows that calling comes at any stage. The number itself does not carry hidden spiritual code; it simply grounds the narrative in real time and real people. This clarity helps readers track God’s faithfulness across generations.
Whether counting warriors or dating temple construction, these numbers invite trust in the reliability of Scripture. They point to a God who works within history, using ordinary timelines for extraordinary purposes. We can rest in the knowledge that our lives, like those recorded here, are known and valued by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 31 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- eighty14×
- and/ eighty14×
- in/ eighty1×
- for/ eighty1×
- [were] eighty1×
- [was] eighty1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁמוֹנִ֥ים4×
- שְׁמֹנִ֥ים4×
- וּ/שְׁמֹנִ֥ים4×
- שְׁמֹנִ֣ים3×
- וּ/שְׁמוֹנִ֥ים2×
- וּ/שְׁמוֹנִ֖ים2×
- וּ/שְׁמֹנִ֛ים2×
- וּ/שְׁמֹנִ֖ים2×
- שְׁמוֹנִֽים\׃\ \ס1×
- שְׁמוֹנִ֤ים1×
- שְׁמוֹנִ֖ים1×
- שְׁמֹנִ֤ים1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 7:7
Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spoke to Pharaoh.
This verse uses the number to highlight Moses’ age at the start of his public ministry, showing that God’s timing is not bound by human expectations of youth or experience.
-
I Kings 6:1
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Ziv, which is the second month, he began to build Yahweh’s house.
Here the number serves as a crucial chronological marker linking the Exodus to Solomon’s temple, helping readers understand the long arc of Israel’s history and God’s promise fulfillment.
-
Judges 3:30
So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. Then the land had rest eighty years.
The text uses this count to measure a period of peace for Moab, illustrating how biblical numbers often quantify seasons of rest or judgment in the land.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does shemonim mean in Hebrew?
Why are there so many numbers in the Old Testament?
Does the number eighty have special spiritual significance?
Every Occurrence (31 verses across 17 books)
Genesis 5 verses
Methuselah lived one hundred eighty-seven years, then became the father of Lamech.
Genesis 5:26Methuselah lived after he became the father of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of other…
Genesis 5:28Lamech lived one hundred eighty-two years, then became the father of a son.
Genesis 16:16Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
Genesis 35:28The days of Isaac were one hundred eighty years.