שְׁמָעָה
𐤔𐤌𐤏𐤄
Shemaah
H8094 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name denoting several individuals in biblical texts, primarily identified as Israelite men. The name likely means 'Yahweh has heard' or 'hearing of Yahweh,' reflecting a theophoric compound (incorporating the divine name). Used exclusively as a personal name in biblical records, mainly in genealogical or narrative lists.
Semantic Range
personal name emphasizing divine hearing or attention; used solely as a proper name for Israelite individuals; not employed for acts of hearing or as a common noun
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root שׁמע (sh-m-ʿ, 'to hear, listen, obey'), with a theophoric element (the final -ה, likely a form of divine name, i.e., Yahweh). Hence, 'Yahweh has heard' or 'heard by Yahweh.' Related to common verb forms and other names built from the same root, such as שְׁמוּאֵל (Samuel).
Historical & Contextual Notes
שְׁמָעָה appears as a given name for multiple Israelite men in genealogical listings (e.g., 1 Chronicles 8:13, 12:3), specifically within Judahite and Benjaminite lineages during the monarchic period. Theophoric personal names like this were common, expressing gratitude or supplication to the deity. English translations typically render the name with minor phonetic variation (Shemaah; Shemaiah), sometimes confusing it with related names. Later traditions (LXX, Vulgate) attempt transliterations or substitutions but retain the general sense. The name is distinct from the active verb or noun forms from שׁמע, which reference the act of hearing or obedience rather than being used as personal names. The Hebrew Bible does not ascribe specific narrative significance or character attributes to bearers of this name beyond their genealogical role. In later Jewish and Christian tradition, greater attention to the name’s religious connotations developed, but such readings go beyond the original Israelite context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
for שִׁמְעָה; Shemaah, an Israelite; Shemaah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁמע (sh-m-ʿ) — to hear, listen, obey
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1953 | הוֹשָׁמָע | Yahweh-has-heard |
| H3460 | יִשְׁמַעְיָה | Yahweh hears |
| H4926 | מִשְׁמָע | to report-of |
| H4928 | מִשְׁמַעַת | their obedience |
| H8037 | שַׁמָּא | he heard |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8094-01 |
הַ/שְּׁמָעָ֣ה | hashemaah | HTd/Np |
Shemaah | Yahweh-has-heard | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8094-01 |
1 Chronicles 12:3 | הַ/שְּׁמָעָ֣ה | hashemaah | HTd/Np |
Shemaah | Yahweh-has-heard |