שִׁמְעוֹן (shim.on)
shim.on
Simeon
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 34 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shim‘ôn, rendered Simeon in English Bibles, derives from a Hebrew root meaning "to hear." Leah uses this etymology when she names her second son, declaring, "Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved" (Genesis 29:33). The name thus carries a personal history of divine attention to her pain and longing for recognition within the family.
As a proper noun, Shim‘ôn identifies the patriarchal figure who becomes the progenitor of one of Israel’s twelve tribes. This tribal identity appears frequently in genealogical lists and census records, particularly in Numbers and Joshua, where the tribe’s inheritance is described as being situated within the territory of Judah (Joshua 19:1). The name also surfaces in later historical contexts, such as identifying an Israelite who married a foreign woman during the post-exilic reforms recorded in Ezra 10:31.
While the personal narrative of Simeon is often overshadowed by his brothers, the name’s significance lies in its connection to the broader story of Jacob’s family. It marks a specific lineage within Israel that eventually merges with Judah geographically and historically. The consistent use of the name across these different eras highlights how individual identities were preserved within the collective memory of the nation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Simeon comes from a Hebrew root meaning "to hear." When Leah named her second son, she explained that God had heard her pain and unloved status. This simple etymology reminds us that our deepest hurts are not invisible to the Lord. He notices when we feel overlooked or rejected, and His attention is personal and specific.
In the broader biblical narrative, Simeon becomes the ancestor of a tribe whose land was absorbed into Judah. This historical detail shows how individual stories weave into the larger tapestry of God’s people. Even when a lineage seems to merge with another or fade from the spotlight, it remains part of the chosen family. Your place in God’s story is secure, regardless of how visible your role may seem.
Whether you are facing silence or seeking recognition, this name offers comfort. It testifies that God hears the quiet cries of the heart. You are known by name and remembered in His purposes, just as Simeon was named for a divine encounter.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 34 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Simeon31×
- and/ Simeon4×
- for/ Simeon2×
- to/ Simeon1×
- and/ from/ Simeon1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׁמְע֑וֹן7×
- שִׁמְע֔וֹן6×
- שִׁמְעֽוֹן\׃5×
- שִׁמְע֗וֹן3×
- שִׁמְע֖וֹן3×
- שִׁמְעוֹן֙2×
- שִׁמְע֣וֹן2×
- וְ/שִׁמְע֖וֹן2×
- שִׁמְעוֹן֮1×
- שִׁמְע֨וֹן1×
- שִׁמְע֥וֹן1×
- לְ/שִׁמְע֨וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 29:33
She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also.” She named him Simeon.
This verse establishes the meaning of the name as "he has heard," linking it directly to God's attention to Leah's suffering.
-
Genesis 42:24
He turned himself away from them, and wept. Then he returned to them, and spoke to them, and took Simeon from among them, and bound him before their eyes.
Here Simeon is held hostage by Joseph, illustrating a pivotal moment where family secrets and past grievances intersect.
-
Joshua 19:9
Out of the part of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon; for the portion of the children of Judah was too much for them. Therefore the children of Simeon had inheritance in the middle of their inheritance.
This passage explains how the tribe of Simeon received its inheritance within Judah's territory due to space constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Simeon mean?
Who was Simeon in the Bible?
Why is Simeon's tribe associated with Judah?
Every Occurrence (34 verses across 9 books)
Genesis 10 verses
She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because Yahweh has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me…
Genesis 34:25On the third day, when they were sore, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword,…
Genesis 34:30Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have troubled me, to make me odious to the inhabitants of the land, among the…
Genesis 35:23The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.
Genesis 42:24He turned himself away from them, and wept. Then he returned to them, and spoke to them, and took Simeon from among…
Genesis 42:36Jacob, their father, said to them, “You have bereaved me of my children! Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you…
Genesis 43:23He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks.…
Genesis 46:10The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman.
Genesis 48:5Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and…
Genesis 49:5“Simeon and Levi are brothers. Their swords are weapons of violence.