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שִׁמְעִי

𐤔𐤌𐤏𐤉

Shimei

H8097 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שמע to hear, listen, obey

Definition

A descriptive term denoting a member of the family, clan, or descendants of a man named Shimʻi (Shimei). Primarily used as a collective or patronymic designation indicating a person's affiliation with the lineage or household of Shimʻi. In genealogical or tribal contexts, it marks identification with a specific ancestral progenitor and his descendants within larger tribal structures.

Semantic Range

descendant of Shimʻi, member of the clan/family of Shimei, Shimite, person identified by affiliation with the ancestral house of Shimʻi

Root / Etymology

From the root שָׁמַע (sh-m-ʿ), meaning 'to hear, listen, obey.' The personal name שִׁמְעִי (Shimʻi) is a derivative, often interpreted as 'Yahweh has heard' or 'heard.' The nominal ending -י can mark relation or descent when added to a patronym (i.e., 'of Shimei').

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term שִׁמְעִי occurs in genealogical and tribal lists in the Hebrew Bible, particularly to specify a subgroup within the tribe of Benjamin—and sometimes Levi—whose common ancestor is Shimʻi (Shimei). It functions parallel to other patronymic designations like 'Levi' (Levite) or 'Gadite.' Its use is limited to administrative, genealogical, and social identity contexts, denoting clan membership or descent rather than an ethnic or religious identity per se. In English translations, it is sometimes rendered as 'Shimite,' 'of the family of Shimei,' or left untranslated as 'Shimʻi.' The English term 'Jew' is not applicable, as the word predates such distinctions and is focused on lineage within Israelite tribal structures. Usage does not reflect an entire tribe but a family subdivision. The meaning was stable from monarchic through post-exilic periods but only appears in texts concerned with genealogical detail or organization.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

patronymically from שִׁמְעִי; a Shimite (collectively) or descendants of Shimi; of Shimi, Shimites.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שמע (sh-m-ʿ) — to hear, listen, obey

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2045 הַשְׁמָעוּת for proclamation of
H3457 יִשְׁמָא He-will-hear
H3459 יִשְׁמָעֵאלִי the Yishmaʿelite
H3460 יִשְׁמַעְיָה and Yah-hears
H4927 מִשְׁמָע Mishma

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8097-01 הַ/שִּׁמְעִ֑י hashimei HTd/Ngmsa the Shimeite the Shimite 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8097-01 Numbers 3:21 הַ/שִּׁמְעִ֑י hashimei HTd/Ngmsa the Shimeite the Shimite
H8097-01 Zechariah 12:13 הַ/שִּׁמְעִי֙ hashimei HTd/Ngmsa the Shimeite the Shimite
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