שִׁמְעָת (shim.at)
shim.at
Shimeath
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
Shimeath is a personal name appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded as an Ammonite woman in 2 Kings 12:21. The text identifies her as the mother of Jozacar (also called Zabad), one of the conspirators who assassinated King Joash of Judah. Her mention serves primarily to establish lineage within a brief historical note about the king’s death.
The name itself derives from the Hebrew root meaning "report" or "hearing." While this etymology might suggest a connection to news or messages, in this context it functions simply as a proper noun for an individual. As an Ammonitess living during the divided monarchy period, her presence highlights the complex social and political intersections of the time, where foreign women were part of Judah’s society even amidst its internal turmoil.
Though Shimeath plays no active role in the narrative, her identification as the mother of a regicide anchors her in a pivotal moment of instability. The sources note that she is mentioned alongside her son Zabad, linking her fate to the violent end of Joash’s reign. This single reference preserves her name in scripture, offering a glimpse into the personal histories behind major biblical events.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Shimeath appears in the Bible as a mother named in a brief historical record. Her story is tied to the violent end of King Joash, reminding us that history includes many unnamed figures whose lives intersect with major events. The name itself suggests themes of hearing or report, which invites reflection on how we listen to the stories around us.
In our own lives, we often encounter moments where the past influences the present. Shimeath’s presence in Scripture shows that even those not directly acting in the narrative are part of God’s broader story. It encourages us to value every person, recognizing that their identity and lineage matter in the eyes of God.
This single mention offers a quiet glimpse into the human side of biblical history. It reminds us that faithfulness is not always about grand actions but can be found in the simple fact of being known and recorded by God. We are invited to trust that our own stories, however small they may seem, are held within His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shimeath1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׁמְעָת֙1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 24:26
These are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess.
This verse identifies Shimeath as the mother of Zabad, one of the conspirators against King Joash, anchoring her name in a specific moment of political turmoil.