Shemaiah

A prophet of the Lord. His history we have, 2 Chron xi. His name means, that hears the Lord, from Thamah that hears - - and Jah, the Lord. There are many of this name in the Old Testament. (1 Chron. 4: 37. Ezra 8. 16. Neh. vi. 10. Jer. 29. 24, 25. 36, 12.)

Shemaiah, 1

Shemai´ah (whom Jehovah hears), a prophet of the time of Rehoboam, who was commissioned to enjoin that monarch to forego his design of reducing the ten tribes to obedience (1Ki 12:22-24). In 1Ch 24:6, this Shemaiah is stated to have written the Chronicles of the reign in which he flourished.

Shemaiah, 2

Shemaiah, a person who, without authority, assumed the functions of a prophet among the Israelites in exile. He was so much annoyed by the prophecies which Jeremiah sent to Babylon, the tendency of which was contrary to his own, that he wrote to Jerusalem, denouncing the prophet as an impostor, and urging the authorities to enforce his silence. In return he received new prophecies, announcing that he should never behold that close of the bondage which he fancied to be at hand, and that none of his race should witness the reestablishment of the nation (Jer 29:24-32).

1. A prophet of Israel, by whom God forbade Rehoboam to endeavor to coerce the ten tribes back to their allegiance, and called the king and his court to repent at the invasion of Shishak. He is said to have written the history of Rehoboam’s reign, 1Ki 12:22-24 2Ch 12:5-8,15 .\par 2. A Levite, who made a registry of the twenty-four priestly classes, 1Ch 15:8,11 24:6.\par 3. A false prophet among the exiled Jews in Babylon, who opposed the prophet Jeremiah, and incurred divine judgments on himself and his family. For his name, Nehelamite, a dreamer, Jer 29:24-32 .\par 4. A false prophet in the pay of Sanballat and Tobiah, who sought to terrify Nehemiah into the cowardly in forbidden step of taking refuge within the temple, Num 3:38 Neh 6:10-14 .\par

Shemai’ah. (heard by Jehovah).

1. A prophet, in the reign of Rehoboam. 1Ki 12:22; 2Ch 11:2. (B.C. 972). He wrote a chronicle containing the events of Rehoboam’s reign. 2Ch 12:5; 2Ch 12:15.

2. The son of Shechaniah, among the descendants of Zerubbabel. 1Ch 3:23; Neh 3:28.

3. A prince of the tribe of Simeon. 1Ch 4:27.

4. Son of Joel, Reubenite. 1Ch 5:4. (B.C. after 1706).

5 . Son of Hasshub, a Merarite Levite. 1Ch 9:14; Neh 11:15.

6. Father of Obadiah, or Abda, a Levite. 1Ch 9:16.

7. Son of Elizaphan, and chief of his house, in the reign of David. 1Ch 15:8; 1Ch 15:11. (B.C. 1043).

8. A Levite, son of Nethaneel, and also a scribe, in the time of David. 1Ch 24:6. (B.C. 1014).

9. The eldest son of Obed-edom, the Gittite. 1Ch 26:4; 1Ch 26:6-7. (B.C. 1014).

10. A descendant of Jeduthun, the singer, who lived in the reign of Hezekiah 2Ch 29:14.

11. One of the sons of Adonikam, who returned with Ezra. Ezr 5:13.

12. One of Ezra’s messengers. Ezr 8:16.

13. A priest, of the family of Harim, who put away his foreign wife at Ezra’s bidding. Ezr 10:21. (B.C. 455).

14. A layman, of Israel, son of another Harim, who had also married a foreigner. Ezr 10:31. (B.C. 458).

15. Son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabeel, a prophet, in the time of Nehemiah. Neh 6:10. (B.C. 446).

16. he head of a priestly house, who signed the covenant with Nehemiah. Neh 10:8; Neh 10:12:6; Neh 10:12:18. (B.C. 410).

17. One of the princes of Judah, at the time of the dedication of Jerusalem. Neh 12:34.

18. One of the choir, on the same occasion. Neh 12:38.

19. A priest. Neh 12:42.

20. A false prophet, in the time of Jeremiah. Jer 29:24-32.

21. A Levite, in the reign of Jehoshaphat. 2Ch 17:8. (B.C. 909).

22. A Levite, in the reign of Hezekiah. 2Ch 31:15. (B.C. 726).

23. A Levite, in the reign of Josiah. 2Ch 35:9. (B.C. 628).

24. The father of Urijah, of Kirjath-jearim. Jer 26:20. (B.C. before 608).

25. The father of Delaiah. Jer 36:12. (B.C. before 605).

1. A prophet under Rehoboam, commissioned to charge the king and his 180,000 warriors of Judah not to fight against their brethren of Israel, but to return every man to his house, instead of striving to regain northern Israel from Jeroboam (1Ki 12:22; 2Ch 11:2), for that the severance is Jehovah’s doing; so they desisted in obedience to the Lord. Upon Rehoboam and his people forsaking Jehovah, and building high places, standing images, and groves, God sent Shishak of Egypt against Jerusalem; he then took all the fenced cities, and Shemaiah told Rehoboam and his princes, "thus saith Jehovah, Ye have forsaken Me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak." The princes then humbled themselves, saying, The Lord is righteous (Psa 51:4; Lev 26:43). When Jehovah saw they humbled themselves He declared by Shemaiah, "I will not destroy them but grant them some deliverance, and My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak" (See REHOBOAM.) Shemaiah wrote a chronicle of Rehoboam’s reign.

2. 1Ch 3:22. The words (1Ch 3:21) "the sons of Rephaiah" to the end of the chapter are a genealogical fragment inserted subsequently; the copula is wanting before "the sons of Rephaiah"; their connection with Zerubbabel’s descendants who are mentioned before is not stated (Neh 3:29).

3. 1Ch 4:37.

4. 1Ch 5:4.

5. Neh 11:15-16.

6. 1Ch 9:16; SHAMMUA, Neh 11:17.

7. 1Ch 15:8; 1Ch 15:11.

8. 1Ch 24:6.

9. 1Ch 26:1; 1Ch 26:4; 1Ch 26:6-7.

10. 2Ch 29:14.

11. Ezr 8:13.

12. Ezr 8:16.

13. Ezr 10:21.

14. Ezr 10:31.

15. Son of Delaiah; a prophet bribed by Sanballat and Tobiah to frighten Nehemiah (Neh 6:10, etc.); Shemaiah pretended to be "shut up" through fear, his action corroborating his word, and proposed all should meet in the temple and shut its doors; Nehemiah heroically replied, "should such a man as I flee?" (compare Psa 11:1.) Shemaiah’s aim was to entrap Nehemiah into sinful fear, so as to have matter of "evil reproach" against him.

16. Neh 10:8; Neh 12:6; Neh 12:18; Neh 12:35.

17. Neh 12:34.

18. Neh 12:36.

19. Neh 12:42.

20. The Nehelamite, a false prophet at Babylon, who wrote urging Zephaniah the deputy priest to show his gratitude to God for his promotion to Jehoiada’s place by exercising his power in imprisoning Jeremiah as "mad" (compare 2Ki 9:11; Mat 21:23; Act 26:24; Joh 10:20 the Antitype) and putting him in stocks, because he had recommended the Jewish captives at Babylon to build, plant, and settle there as for a long time, in opposition to those who flattered them with promises of a speedy release. Jeremiah on hearing Shemaiah’s letter read by Zephaniah, who was less prejudiced against him, declared from Jehovah, "Shemaiah shall not have a man to dwell among this people, neither shall he behold the good" (namely, the future restoration from Babylon), "because he caused you to trust a lie" and "hath taught rebellion against Jehovah," namely, against God’s revealed will as to the time of the restoration (Jer 29:24-32, compare Jer 29:10; Jer 28:16).

21. 2Ch 17:8.

22. 2Ch 31:15.

23. A Levite at Josiah’s Passover (2Ch 35:9); Conaniah his brother’s name occurs in Hezekiah’s time, as also Shemaiah, for the same names recur in different generations.

24. Jer 26:20.

25. Jer 36:12.

[Shemai’ah]

1. Prophet who stayed Rehoboam from warring against Israel. He was also sent by God to tell Rehoboam and the princes of Judah that because of their sins God had left them in the hands of Shishak, king of Egypt, who had come to attack them; but on their repentance they were told he should not destroy them. Shishak seized their treasures, and they became tributary to Egypt. Shemaiah wrote a ’book’ concerning genealogies. 1Ki 12:22-24; 2Ch 11:2-4; 2Ch 12:5-15.

2. Son of Shechaniah, a descendant of David. 1Ch 3:22; Neh 3:29.

3. A Simeonite, father of Shimri. 1Ch 4:37.

4. Son of Joel, a Reubenite. 1Ch 5:4.

5. Son of Hasshub, a Levite. 1Ch 9:14; Neh 11:15.

6. Son of Galal, a Levite. 1Ch 9:16, Called SHAMMUA in Neh 6:17.

7. Son of Elizaphan, a Levite. 1Ch 15:8; 1Ch 15:11.

8. Son of Nethaneel, a Levite. 1Ch 24:6.

9. Son of Obed-edom, a Korhite. 1Ch 26:4-7.

10. Levite whom Jehoshaphat sent to teach the people. 2Ch 17:8.

11. Descendant of Jeduthun, a Levite. 2Ch 29:14.

12. Levite set over the freewill offerings of God. 2Ch 31:15.

13. Levite in the days of Josiah. 2Ch 35:9.

14. Son of Adonikam. Ezr 8:13.

15. One whom Ezra sent for Levites. Ezr 8:16.

16. Priest who had married a strange wife. Ezr 10:21.

17. One who had married a strange wife. Ezr 10:31.

18. Son of Delaiah: he sought to entrap Nehemiah. Neh 6:10.

19. Priest who sealed the covenant, Neh 10:8; his family went up with Zerubbabel. Neh 12:6; Neh 12:18.

20. One with Ezra at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. Neh 12:34.

21. Son of Mattaniah, a priest. Neh 12:35.

22. Apparently a Levite who took part in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. Neh 12:36.

23. Priest who assisted on the same occasion. Neh 12:42.

24. Father of Urijah, a prophet. Jer 26:20.

25. The Nehelamite, a false prophet, condemned by Jehovah through Jeremiah. Jer 29:24-32.

26. Father of Delaiah. Jer 36:12.

By: Emil G. Hirsch, Isaac Broydé

Prophet in the reign of Rehoboam. He was commissioned to dissuade the king from waging war against the Northern Kingdom after its revolt, because it was the will of God that Israel should form an independent state (I Kings xii. 22-24; II Chron. xi. 2). His second and last appearance in the prophetic rôle was on the occasion of the invasion of Judah and the siege of Jerusalem by Shishak, King of Egypt. His message was that as the princes of Israel had humbled themselves the wrath of God for their idolatry should not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak (II Chron. xiii. 7).

SHEMAIAH (‘Jahweh has heard’).—1. The prophet who with Ahijah encouraged the revolution of the ten tribes from Jeroboam. In MT [Note: Massoretic Text.] he appears after the revolution has begun (1Ki 12:22-24, 2Ch 11:2-4). In the second LXX [Note: Septuagint.] account, however, he appears at the beginning, at the assembly in Shechem (1Ki 12:24). He is mentioned further in 2Ch 12:5-8, and his history in 2Ch 12:16. 2. Son of Shecaniah, descendant of Zerubbabel (1Ch 3:22). 3. Son of Shecaniah, ‘keeper of the east gate,’ and assistant to Nehemiah in repairing the wall (Neh 3:29). 4. A Simeonite (1Ch 4:37), perhaps Shimei of 1Ch 4:26; 1Ch 27:5. A Reubenite (1Ch 5:4), apparently called Shema in 1Ch 5:8. 6. A Merarite Levite dwelling in Jerusalem (1Ch 9:14, Neh 11:15). 7. A Levite of the family of Jeduthun (1Ch 9:16), called Shammua in Neh 11:17. 8. Head of the levitical Kohathite clan of Elizaphan in the time of David (1Ch 15:8; 1Ch 15:11). 9. The scribe who registered the names of the priestly courses in the time of David, son of Nethanel (1Ch 24:6). 10. A Korahite Levite, oldest son of Obed-edom (1Ch 26:4; 1Ch 26:6-7). 11. A Levite, teacher of the Law in Judah under Jehoshaphat (2Ch 17:8). 12. A Levite of the family of Jeduthun, engaged in purifying the Temple under Hezekiah (2Ch 29:14). 13. A Levite ‘over the freewill offerings of God’ (2Ch 31:16). 14. A chief of the Levites (2Ch 35:9), called Samaias in LXX [Note: Septuagint.] and in 1Es 1:9. 15. A chief man under Ezra (Ezr 8:16), called Maasmas and Samaias in 1 Es 8:43; 46. 16. One of the family of Adonikam (Ezr 8:18), in 1Es 8:39 Samaias. 17. A priest of the family of Harim who married a foreign wife (Ezr 10:21), in 1Es 9:21 Samameus. 18. A layman of the family of Harim who did the same (Ezr 10:31), in 1Es 9:32 Samabbeus. 19. A prophet, son of Delaiah, hired by Sanballat and Tobiah to terrify Nehemiah (Neh 6:10-14). 20. One of the 24 courses of priests (Neh 10:8; Neh 12:6; Neh 12:18). 21. A man present at the dedication of the wall (Neh 12:34). 22. A priest, descendant of Asaph (Neh 12:35). 23. A singer (or clan) having part in the dedication of the wall (Neh 12:36). 24. Another, or perhaps the same (Neh 12:42). 25. Father of Uriah the prophet (Jer 26:20). 26. A prophet, called ‘the Nehelamite,’ carried into captivity at Babylon with Jehoiachin, actively engaged in opposing Jeremiah (Jer 29:24-32). Jeremiah predicted the complete cutting off of his family. 27. Father of Delaiah, who was a prince in the reign of Zedekiah (Jer 36:12). 28. ‘The great,’ kinsman of Tobias (Tob 5:13). In several cases two of these may be the same individual. The identification has the most probability in reference to 2 and 3, 8 and 9, and 12 and 13.

George R. Berry.

shḗ-mā´ya, shḗ-mı̄´a (שׁמעיה, sh^ema‛yāh (in 2Ch 11:2; 2Ch 17:8; 2Ch 31:15; 2Ch 35:9; Jer 26:20; Jer 29:24; Jer 36:12, sh^ema‛yāhū), “Jahveh hears”): The name is most frequently borne by priests, Levites and prophets.

(1) Codex Vaticanus Σαμμαίας, Sammaı́as; Codex Alexandrinus Σαμαίας, Samaı́as (2Ch 12:5, 2Ch 12:7). A prophet who, together with Ahijah, protested against Rehoboam’s contemplated war against the ten revolted tribes (1Ki 12:22-24 = 2Ch 11:2-4). He declared that the rebellion had divine sanction. The second Greek account knows nothing of Ahijah in this connection and introduces Shemaiah at the gathering at Shechem where both Jeroboam and Rehoboam were present; it narrates that on this occasion Shemaiah (not Ahijah) rent his garment and gave ten parts to Jeroboam to signify the ten tribes over which he was to become king. (This version, however, is not taken very seriously, because of its numerous inconsistencies.) Shemaiah also prophesied at the invasion of Judah by Shishak (2Ch 12:5-7). His message was to the effect that as the princes of Israel had humbled themselves, God’s wrath against their idolatrous practices would not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak (2Ch 13:7). He is mentioned as the author of a history of Rehoboam (2Ch 12:15).

(2) Son of Shecaniah (1Ch 3:22, Σαμαιά, Samaiá), a descendant of Zerubbabel. This is also the name of one of the men who helped to repair the wall (Neh 3:29, Σεμεία, Semeı́a ()א compare Curtis, ICC, in 1Ch 3:17-24)).

(3) A Simeonite (1Ch 4:37, Codex Vaticanus Συμεών, Sumeṓn; Codex Alexandrinus Σαμαίας, Samaı́as), identical, perhaps, with the Shimei of 1Ch 4:26, 1Ch 4:27.

(4) A Reubenite (1Ch 5:4, Codex Vaticanus Σεμεεί, Semeeı́; Codex Alexandrinus Σεμείν, Semeı́n), called Shema in 1Ch 5:8.

(5) A Merarite Levite (1Ch 9:14; Neh 11:15, Σαμαιά, Samaiá), one of those who dwelt in Jerusalem.

(6) A Levite of the family of Jeduthun, father of Obadiah or Abda (1Ch 9:16, Σαμειά, Sameiá, Codex Alexandrinus Σαμίας, Samı́as, called “Shammua” in Neh 11:17).

(7) Head of the Levitical Kohathite clan of Elizaphan in the time of David (1Ch 15:8, Codex Vaticanus Σαμαίας, Samaı́as; Codex Alexandrinus Σαμαιά, Samaiá; Codex Sinaiticus Σαμέας, Saméas; 1Ch 15:11, Codex Vaticanus Σαμίας, Samı́as; Codex Alexandrinus Σεμείας, Semeı́as; Codex Sinaiticus Σαμαί, Samaı́). He may be the same person as (8).

(8) The scribe (1Ch 24:6), the son of Nethanel, who registered the names of the priestly courses.

(9) A Korahite Levite, eldest son of Obed-edom (1Ch 26:4, 1Ch 26:6, Codex Vaticanus Σαμαίας, Samaı́as; Codex Alexandrinus Σαμείας, Sameı́as; 1Ch 26:7, Codex Vaticanus Σαμαί, Samaı́; Codex Alexandrinus Σεμεία, Semeı́a).

(10) A Levite (2Ch 17:8, Codex Vaticanus Σαμούας, Samoúas; Codex Alexandrinus Σαμουίας, Samouı́as). One of the commission appointed by Jehoshaphat to teach the book of the Law in Judah. The names of the commissioners as a whole belong to a period later than the 9th century. (Gray, HPN, 231).

(11) One of the men “over the free-will offerings of God” (2Ch 31:15, Σεμεεί, Semeeı́).

(12) A Levite of the family of Jeduthun in the reign of Hezekiah (2Ch 29:14), one of those who assisted in the purification of the Temple.

(13) A chief of the Levites (2Ch 35:9), called “Samaias” in Septuagint and 1 Esdras 1:9.

(14) A “chief man” under Ezra (Ezr 8:16), called “Maasmas” and “Samaias” in 1 Esdras 8:43, 44.

(15) A member of the family of Adonikam (Ezr 8:13, Codex Vaticanus Σαμαία, Samaı́a; Codex Alexandrinus Σαμαειά, Samaeiá; “Samaias” in 1 Esdras 8:39).

(16) A priest of the family of Harim who married a foreign wife (Ezr 10:21), called “Sameus” in 1 Esdras 9:21.

(17) A layman of the family of Harim who married a foreign wife (Ezr 10:31), called “Sabbeus” in 1 Esdras 9:32.

(18) A prophet (Neh 6:10-14, Codex Vaticanus σεμεεί, Semeeı́; Codex Alexandrinus Σεμεί, Semeı́), employed by Sanballat and Tobiah to frighten Nehemiah and hinder the rebuilding of the wall.

(19) One of the 24 courses of priests, 16th under Zerubbabel (Neh 12:6, Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Alexandrinus Σεμείας, Semeı́as), 15th under Joiakim (Neh 12:18; Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Alexandrinus Σεμεία, Semeı́a), and 21st under Nehemiah (Neh 10:8, Σαμαιά, Samaiá), mentioned in connection with the dedication of the wall.

(20) A priest, descendant of Asaph (Neh 12:35).

(21) A singer (or clan) participating in the dedication of the wall (Neh 12:36).

(22) Father of the prophet Urijah (Jer 26:20, Codex Vaticanus and Codex Alexandrinus Σαμαίας, Samaı́as; Codex Sinaiticus Μασέας, Maséas).

(23) A false prophet who was upbraided by Jeremiah (Jer 29:24-32) for attempting to hinder his work. He is styled “the Nehelamite” and was among those carried into captivity with Jehoiachin. In opposition to Jeremiah, he predicted a speedy ending to the captivity. Jeremiah foretold the complete destruction of Shemaiah’s family.

(24) Father of Delaiah, who was a prince in the reign of Zedekiah (Jer 36:12).

(25) “The great,” kinsman of Tobias (Tobit 5:13).