שֶׁ֫מֶר (she.mer)
she.mer
Shemer; Shemed
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Shemer appears only three times in the Hebrew Bible, referring to distinct individuals rather than a single person with multiple roles. In 1 Kings 16:24, it identifies the man who sold the hill on which King Omri built the city of Samaria. This Shemer is described as having "preserved" or kept the land, a meaning that contrasts with the later history of the site.
Two other men bear this name in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles. One is a Merarite Levite, son of Mahli and father of Bani (1 Chronicles 6:46). The other is an Asherite, son of Heber and father of four sons (1 Chronicles 7:32-34). These entries place Shemer within the tribal structures of Israel during the period of the divided monarchy.
Although the name shares a root with the verb shamar ("to keep" or "guard"), its usage here is strictly onomastic. The sources note that some traditions link it to a Benjamite named Shemed, meaning "destroyed," but the primary occurrences in Kings and Chronicles point to the preserved/kept sense. The name serves as a historical marker for land transactions and tribal lineage rather than carrying a specific theological message.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shemer appears only three times in Scripture, yet it anchors us to the reality that God works through ordinary people and specific places. In 1 Kings, a man named Shemer sells his hill for silver, allowing King Omri to build Samaria. This simple transaction reminds us that history is made of real decisions, land changes hands, and names are remembered long after the moment has passed.
In Chronicles, we meet other men with this name—Levites and tribal fathers listed in genealogies. These records show that God cares about lineage and community structure. Even when their stories are brief, they are part of the larger tapestry of Israel’s identity. We do not know their personal prayers or struggles, but their inclusion suggests that every family line matters to the One who preserves history.
For your faith, this word invites you to see yourself as part of a long story. Your name, your choices, and your place in the community are known by God. Just as Shemer’s hill became a city and his name endured in text, your life contributes to the ongoing work of God in the world. Rest in the knowledge that you are remembered.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shemer3×
- and/ Shemed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁ֑מֶר1×
- שֶׁ֖מֶר1×
- שֶׁ֔מֶר1×
- וָ/שָׁ֑מֶד1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 16:24
He bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.
This verse records the specific transaction where Shemer sells his land, anchoring the name to a physical location and a historical moment of political change.
-
I Chronicles 7:34
The sons of Shemer: Ahi, Rohgah, Jehubbah, and Aram.
Here Shemer appears as a tribal father in Asher’s lineage, showing how the name functioned within the social structure of Israel rather than as a title.
-
I Chronicles 8:12
The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod, with its towns;
This entry lists Shemed (a variant spelling) among Elpaal’s sons, highlighting the scribal preservation of family lines for future generations.