Topical Encyclopedia Overview:Shemaiah is a name attributed to several individuals in the Bible, primarily found in the Old Testament. The name Shemaiah means "heard by Yahweh" or "Yahweh has heard." These individuals played various roles, often as prophets, Levites, or other significant figures in Israel's history. 1. Shemaiah the Prophet: Shemaiah is most notably recognized as a prophet during the reign of Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and king of Judah. His role is crucial in the narrative of the divided kingdom. When Rehoboam assembled an army to fight against the northern tribes of Israel, Shemaiah delivered a message from God, instructing him not to go to war against his brethren. This divine intervention is recorded in 1 Kings 12:22-24 and 2 Chronicles 11:2-4: "But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God: 'Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah and to all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin, "This is what the LORD says: You are not to march up and fight against your brothers. Each of you must return home, for this is My doing."' So they listened to the words of the LORD and turned back from going against Jeroboam." Shemaiah's obedience to God's command and his influence on Rehoboam highlight his role as a faithful servant and a voice of divine wisdom during a tumultuous period in Israel's history. 2. Shemaiah the Levite: Another Shemaiah is mentioned as a Levite in the time of King David. He was one of the Levites appointed to assist in the musical service of the temple, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 15:8-11. This Shemaiah was part of the group responsible for bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of worship and the centrality of the Ark in Israel's religious life. 3. Shemaiah the Scribe: In the post-exilic period, a Shemaiah is noted as a scribe who played a role in the administration of the temple and the community. Nehemiah 3:29 mentions a Shemaiah who helped repair the wall of Jerusalem, indicating his involvement in the restoration efforts after the Babylonian exile. 4. Shemaiah the False Prophet: In contrast to the faithful Shemaiah, there is also a mention of a false prophet named Shemaiah in the book of Jeremiah. This Shemaiah opposed Jeremiah's prophecies and sent letters to the people in exile, attempting to undermine Jeremiah's message. Jeremiah 29:24-32 records God's response to Shemaiah's deceit, pronouncing judgment upon him and his descendants for leading the people astray. 5. Other References: Several other individuals named Shemaiah are mentioned throughout the genealogies and lists of returnees in the books of Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. These references often highlight the commonality of the name and the diverse roles individuals with this name played in Israel's history. Significance: The various individuals named Shemaiah illustrate the diverse roles and responsibilities within the community of Israel, from prophetic voices to temple service and administrative duties. The accounts of Shemaiah the prophet and Shemaiah the false prophet serve as reminders of the importance of true obedience to God's word and the consequences of leading others astray. Concordance Shemaiah's (1 Occurrence)Nehemiah 12:18 Thesaurus Shemaiah's (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Shemaiah's (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 12:18 of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; (See NIV). ... /s/shemaiah's.htm - 6k Shemariah (5 Occurrences) Shemai'ah (38 Occurrences) Rephael (1 Occurrence) Bariah (1 Occurrence) Shemaiah (40 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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