שֹׁ֫מַע (sho.ma)
sho.ma
report
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun sho.ma refers to a report, news, or rumor that spreads among people. It appears in only four verses of the Hebrew Bible, primarily in Joshua, Jeremiah, and Esther. The word captures the movement of information from one person to another, often carrying the weight of significant events or official announcements.
In Esther 2:22, the term describes the report that Mordecai uncovered about an assassination plot, highlighting how such news can uncover hidden dangers. Similarly, in Jeremiah 31:21, it relates to the report of God’s faithfulness reaching the people. The variation from sho.ma (H8089) to she.ma (H8088B) is noted as a minor spelling difference without changing the core meaning.
This word emphasizes the communal nature of hearing and sharing information. It reflects how news travels in ancient Israelite society, often serving as a bridge between private events and public awareness. The brevity of its occurrences underscores its specific role in narrative moments where information becomes pivotal.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sho.ma captures the movement of news from one person to another. It is not just idle gossip but significant information that carries weight, whether it brings fear or hope. In ancient Israel, hearing a report meant understanding what was happening in your community and beyond.
When we read about Mordecai’s fame spreading in Esther or the people reacting to news of invasion in Jeremiah, we see how information shapes our response. We are called to be careful listeners, discerning truth from rumor and trusting God with the stories that reach us.
This word reminds us that what we hear matters. It invites us to share good news faithfully and to seek wisdom when difficult reports arrive, knowing that God is sovereign over all events.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] report of/ him2×
- and/ [the] report of/ him1×
- [the] report of/ it1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁמְע֖/וֹ2×
- שָׁמְע֔/וֹ1×
- וְ/שָׁמְע֖/וֹ1×
Key Verses
-
Esther 9:4
For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces, for the man Mordecai grew greater and greater.
This verse shows how a report of Mordecai’s growing influence spread through the provinces, highlighting the power of news to reveal God's hidden hand in protecting His people.
-
Jeremiah 6:24
We have heard its report. Our hands become feeble. Anguish has taken hold of us, and pains as of a woman in labor.
Here the report brings anguish and fear, illustrating how hearing about impending judgment can overwhelm the human spirit before God’s ultimate deliverance arrives.
-
Joshua 9:9
They said to him, “Your servants have come from a very far country because of the name of Yahweh your God; for we have heard of his fame, all that he did in Egypt,
The Gibeonites cite the fame of Yahweh’s deeds in Egypt as their reason for coming, showing how reports of God’s power can draw people from distant lands to seek Him.