שִׁמְרִית (shim.rit)
shim.rit
Shimrith
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Shimrith identifies a Moabite woman mentioned in the biblical record as the mother of Jehozabad, one of the conspirators who assassinated King Joash of Judah. This entry appears primarily in 2 Chronicles 24:26, where it serves as an alternative designation for the figure first introduced in 2 Kings 12:21.
Linguistically, the name derives from a root meaning "to watch" or "be vigilant," effectively translating to "vigilant" or "watcher." This etymology creates a stark irony within the narrative context, as Shimrith is the mother of men who acted with sudden violence against their king rather than maintaining loyalty. The sources note that this feminine form likely corresponds to the masculine name Shomer, highlighting a shared lexical root between the parents and their offspring in this historical account.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Shimrith appears in the biblical record as the mother of Jehozabad, one of the men who conspired against King Joash. Her name derives from a root meaning "to watch" or "be vigilant," which translates to "watcher." This creates a striking contrast in the narrative, as her son acted with sudden violence rather than loyalty.
While this entry offers little direct instruction for daily faith, it reminds us that history is filled with complex human relationships. Names often carry meanings that reflect hopes or traits, yet human actions do not always align with their origins. This story invites reflection on the consequences of betrayal and the fragility of trust in leadership.
For readers today, this brief mention serves as a historical footnote rather than a theological lesson. It highlights how even those with names suggesting vigilance can be part of tragic events. Such details ground the biblical text in real human history, showing that faithfulness is a choice made daily, not an inherited guarantee.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shimrith1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שִׁמְרִ֖ית1×
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 Shimrith as the mother of Jehozabad, linking her to the conspiracy against King Joash and highlighting the irony of her name meaning "watcher" in a context of betrayal.