שְׁמַרְיָ֫הוּ (she.mar.yah)
she.mar.yah
Shemariah
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 Shemariah means "Jehovah has kept" or "kept by the Lord." It appears in the Old Testament only three times, identifying different men who lived during distinct periods of Israel's history. The sources list a Benjamite warrior who joined David at Ziklag, a son of King Rehoboam, and two Israelites from the post-exilic community who dealt with foreign marriages under Ezra.
Despite sharing the same name, these individuals belong to separate eras and roles. One served as a mighty warrior in the united monarchy, another as a royal prince during the divided kingdom, and the others as laymen navigating religious reform after the exile. This repetition highlights how common names reflecting trust in God's protection were across generations.
The etymology combines shamar ("to keep, guard") with Yahweh. The sources consistently translate this as "kept by Jehovah," emphasizing divine preservation rather than human effort. Each bearer of the name appears in contexts of loyalty or covenant fidelity, whether on the battlefield, in royal lineage, or in community restoration.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shemariah carries a quiet strength, meaning "kept by Jehovah." It reminds us that our safety does not rest on our own vigilance but on God’s faithful watch over us. This truth spans the entire biblical narrative, from warriors in battle to families rebuilding after exile.
When life feels unstable, this name offers comfort. Whether facing external threats or internal community challenges, the promise remains that the Lord guards those who trust in Him. It is a gentle assurance that we are held securely in His hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shemariah3×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שְׁמַרְיָֽה\׃\ \ס1×
- שְׁמַרְיָֽה\׃1×
- שְׁמַרְיָ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
II Chronicles 11:19
She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.
This verse places Shemariah in the royal lineage of Rehoboam, showing how God preserved the Davidic line even during times of national division.
-
Ezra 10:32
Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.
Here Shemariah is listed among those who took responsibility for the covenant renewal, highlighting individual accountability in communal restoration.
-
Ezra 10:41
Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah,
This occurrence shows Shemariah actively participating in the difficult work of separating from foreign marriages to maintain religious fidelity.