שֻׁמָתִי (shu.ma.ti)
shu.ma.ti
Shumathite
N:N--LGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--LG
Word Overview
The term shumatite is an ethnic descriptor found exclusively in 1 Chronicles 2:53. It identifies the inhabitants of Shumath, a town associated with the tribe of Judah and the lineage of Caleb. The word functions as a gentilic adjective, distinguishing this specific group from other families within the same region.
Etymologically, the name likely derives from the place name Shumath. While some sources suggest a meaning related to being "exalted," this interpretation remains speculative due to the word’s solitary occurrence in Scripture. The text uses it simply to label the people residing there, without further theological commentary or narrative expansion.
Because this entry appears only once, it offers no broader semantic range or comparative nuance against other Hebrew terms. Its significance lies entirely in its historical and geographical precision, anchoring a small community within the larger tribal census of Judah. Translators typically render it as "Shumathites" to preserve the proper noun connection.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This single word anchors a small community within the vast genealogy of Judah. In 1 Chronicles, names often serve as reminders that God knows each family by name. The Shumathites are listed alongside other clans in Kiriath Jearim, showing how ordinary lives fit into God’s larger story.
For your faith, this highlights the value of every person in Scripture. Even when a name appears only once, it signals that no one is forgotten. Your own place in God’s family is just as certain and valued as these ancient clans.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ the/ Shumathite[s]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/הַ/שֻּׁמָתִ֖י1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 2:53
The families of Kiriath Jearim: the Ithrites, the Puthites, the Shumathites, and the Mishraites; from them came the Zorathites and the Eshtaolites.
This verse lists the Shumathites among other families in Kiriath Jearim, showing their specific place within the tribe of Judah.