שָׁמָע (sha.ma)
sha.ma
Shama
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 Sha’mah appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in 1 Chronicles 11:44 among the list of King David’s mighty warriors. It identifies a specific individual, the son of Hotham and brother of Jeiel, who hailed from Aroer. This brief mention places him within the historical context of the United Monarchy, highlighting his status as a recognized hero in David’s military ranks.
Etymologically, Sha’mah derives from the root shāma‘, which primarily means "to hear" or "to obey." Consequently, the name is commonly interpreted to mean "he has heard" or "obedient." While the verb form carries significant theological weight throughout Scripture regarding divine communication, here it serves as a personal identifier for a warrior whose loyalty and action presumably reflected that meaning.
Although the text does not elaborate on his deeds, the inclusion of Sha’mah alongside other famous champions underscores the collective nature of David’s support. His name stands as a historical marker of the diverse group of men who rallied around the king, preserving their identity through this single genealogical record in the Chronicles.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Sha’mah appears in a brief list of King David’s mighty warriors, identifying the son of Hotham from Aroer. While the text does not record his specific battles or deeds, his inclusion alongside other famous champions highlights the collective strength that supported David during the United Monarchy. This single mention preserves his identity as part of a diverse group of men who rallied around their king.
Etymologically, Sha’mah derives from the root meaning to hear or obey. In this context, the name serves as a personal identifier for a warrior whose loyalty presumably reflected that meaning. It stands as a historical marker within the genealogical records of Chronicles, reminding us that even those with brief mentions played a vital role in the broader narrative of Israel’s history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shama1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁמָע֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 11:44
Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons of Hotham the Aroerite,
This verse lists Sha’mah among David’s mighty warriors, identifying him as the son of Hotham and brother of Jeiel from Aroer.