Lexical Summary Shimrith: Shimrith Original Word: שִׁמְרית Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Shimrith Feminine of Shimriy; female guard; Shimrith, a Moabitess -- Shimrith. see HEBREW Shimriy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shamar Definition a Moabite woman NASB Translation Shimrith (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שִׁמְרִית proper name, feminine Moabitish mother of one of Joash's murderers2Chronicles 24:26 (masculine Σομαιωθ, A Σαμαριθ; feminine ᵐ5L Σαμιραμωθ), "" שֹׁמֵר proper name, masculine 2 Kings 12:21. Topical Lexicon Scriptural Occurrence The sole biblical mention of Shimrith is found in 2 Chronicles 24:26, where she is identified as “the Moabitess” and as the mother of Jehozabad, one of the two officials who assassinated King Joash of Judah. Historical Setting Joash began his reign under the godly influence of Jehoiada the priest, restoring the temple and re-establishing proper worship (2 Chronicles 24:4–14). After Jehoiada’s death, Joash capitulated to idolatry, silenced prophetic warning, and ordered the stoning of Jehoiada’s son Zechariah (24:17–22). Divine justice followed swiftly. A “small band” of Arameans defeated Judah (24:23–24), and Joash, gravely wounded, was murdered on his sickbed by his own servants. One of these servants was Jehozabad, son of Shimrith the Moabitess. Thus, Shimrith’s name is embedded in the climactic judgment that closed Joash’s apostasy. Biographical Sketch 1. Ethnicity: Shimrith was a Moabitess. The Chronicler highlights her foreign origin, paralleling Zabad’s Ammonite lineage (2 Chronicles 24:26). By naming mothers and their Gentile backgrounds, Scripture underscores how non-Israelite influences penetrated the royal court. Theological and Moral Lessons • Divine Justice Is Unavoidable “The LORD executed judgment on Joash” (2 Chronicles 24:24). Shimrith’s son became an unwitting instrument of that justice. Even foreign lineages can serve God’s sovereign purposes, illustrating Proverbs 21:1: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD.” • Foreign Influence and the Covenant Community Shimrith’s Moabite identity reminds readers of the porous borders of Judah’s society. While Ruth the Moabitess stands as a redeemed exemplar of covenant faith (Ruth 2:11–12), Shimrith forms a contrasting picture—her line participates in regicide. The Chronicler leverages this contrast to exhort post-exilic readers to guard against syncretism without fostering ethnic pride, maintaining a holy yet hospitable community. • The Peril of Spiritual Drift Joash’s downfall began when he “listened to the officials of Judah” (2 Chronicles 24:17). Shimrith and other foreign figures at court illustrate the alliances Joash cultivated after forsaking the LORD. Their presence itself is not condemned; rather, Joash’s failure to remain covenant-loyal opened the door to destructive counsel. Ministry Implications 1. Leadership Vigilance: Pastors and elders must finish well; early zeal does not guarantee lifelong faithfulness. Joash’s end warns against complacency after seasons of revival. Related Names and Variations • Shomer (2 Kings 12:21) – likely an alternate spelling or contraction of Shimrith. Suggested Study and Application Points • Compare the fates of rulers who listened to godly counsel (Hezekiah, Josiah) versus those who rejected it (Joash, Ahaz). Forms and Transliterations שִׁמְרִ֖ית שמרית shimRit šim·rîṯ šimrîṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Chronicles 24:26 HEB: וִיה֣וֹזָבָ֔ד בֶּן־ שִׁמְרִ֖ית הַמּוֹאָבִֽית׃ NAS: the son of Shimrith the Moabitess. KJV: the son of Shimrith a Moabitess. INT: and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess 1 Occurrence |
    |