7719. Shoham

Lexical Summary

Shoham: Shoham

Original Word: שֹׁהַם
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Shoham
Pronunciation: SHO-ham
Phonetic Spelling: (sho'-ham)
KJV: Shoham
NASB: Shoham
Word Origin: [the same as H7718 (שׁוֹהַם - onyx)]

1. Shoham, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Shoham

The same as shoham; Shoham, an Israelite -- Shoham.

see HEBREW shoham

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as shoham
Definition
a Levite
NASB Translation
Shoham (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

II. שֹׁ֫הַם proper name, masculine Levite; — ׳שׁ 1 Chronicles 24:27; Ις(ς)οαμ, Ιεσσαμ.

שָׁו Job 15:31 Kt, see שָׁוְא. below

Topical Lexicon

Name Significance

Shoham shares the same Hebrew consonants as the word for “onyx,” suggesting beauty, value, and durability—qualities appropriate for one set apart for holy service among the Levites (cf. Exodus 28:9-12).

Biblical Occurrence

1 Chronicles 24:27 — “The sons of Merari from Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri.”

Genealogical Context

Shoham descends from Merari, the youngest son of Levi (Genesis 46:11). The Merarites originally transported and cared for the tabernacle’s framework (Numbers 4:29-33). In David’s day they were organized into courses for temple duty (1 Chronicles 24:26-30), ensuring that every Levitical family—including Shoham’s—retained an appointed share in worship.

Role in Davidic Reformation of Worship

David’s reform shifted Levitical labor from nomadic transport to structured liturgy. Shoham, named in the roster, therefore:
• Represented his father’s house in the priestly lots drawn before David, Zadok, and Ahimelech (1 Chronicles 24:31).
• Helped establish regular service patterns carried into Solomon’s reign (2 Chronicles 8:14).
• Illustrated covenant continuity, linking Sinai’s tabernacle regulations to the coming temple.

Theological and Ministerial Implications

1. Faithfulness in obscurity—Scripture preserves Shoham’s name though no deeds are recorded, affirming that unseen service is honored by God.
2. Corporate worship—Each family had a defined role, prefiguring the church as “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9).
3. Messianic anticipation—The orderly priesthood under David foreshadows Christ’s perfect, eternal priesthood (Hebrews 7:17).

Onyx Imagery in Scripture

Because Shoham sounds identical to “onyx,” the name evokes the gemstones engraved with Israel’s tribes on the high priest’s ephod (Exodus 28:9-12), the riches of Eden (Genesis 2:12), and the foundations of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:20). Thus Shoham’s very identity mirrors the biblical theme of precious remembrance before God.

Practical Reflections

• Every believer, like Shoham, holds a God-appointed place in worship, whether noticed or hidden.
• Genealogical details, often overlooked, testify to the Lord’s faithfulness through generations.
• The link between a Levite’s name and a precious stone invites meditation on the value the Lord places on His servants and His desire to adorn His people with lasting glory.

Forms and Transliterations

וְשֹׁ֥הַם ושהם veShoham

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 24:27
HEB: לְיַֽעֲזִיָּ֣הֽוּ בְנ֔וֹ וְשֹׁ֥הַם וְזַכּ֖וּר וְעִבְרִֽי׃
NAS: [were] Beno, Shoham, Zaccur
KJV: Beno, and Shoham, and Zaccur,
INT: Jaaziah the sons Shoham Zaccur and Ibri

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 7719
1 Occurrence

wə·šō·ham — 1 Occ.