Boy Old Testament Rare
Shema
hearing; obeying
שֶׁ֫מַע she.ma
Shema (Hebrew: שֶׁ֫מַע, she.ma) means “hearing; obeying”, by traditional interpretation. Four men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Divided Kingdom period. In 2024 it was given to 5 children in the United States. Appears with Adaiah in 1 Chronicles 8.
Which Shema?
Four men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Shema
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Shema
descendant of Benjamin; son of Elpaal
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Shema
son of Joel
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Shema
descendant of Judah; son of Hebron
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 6 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 4 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
Based on 2024 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2024 | 5 | Steady |
| All-time total | 55 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 8 in 1975 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Chronicles 2:43 |
| Last appears | Nehemiah 8:4 |
| Cross-references | 42 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Shemed attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Elpaal.
- Shimei attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Elpaal.
- Shimrath attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Elpaal.
- Ahio attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Elpaal.
- Zebadiah attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Elpaal.
- Eber attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Elpaal.
- Rekem co-occurrence Appears with Rekem in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Maaseiah co-occurrence Appears with Maaseiah in Nehemiah 8.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.2.43;
son of: Hebron (H2275I);
brother of: Korah (H7141J), Tappuah (H8599A) and Rekem (H7552I);
father of: Raham (H7357)
§ Shema = "hear"
1) a Reubenite, son of Joel, father of Azaz, and grandfather of Bela
2) a Judaite, son of Hebron and father of Raham
3) a Benjamite, son of Elpaal who along with his brother Beriah were heads of their fathers houses in Aijalon and who drove out the inhabitants of Gath. Probably the same as 'Shimhi'
4) an Israelite who stood on the right hand of Ezra as he read the Law to the people
Shema, a son of Hebron and descendant of Judah.
The biblical story
Shema is mentioned in 1Ch.2.43-44 as one of the sons of Hebron, who was a descendant of Judah. He is listed along with his brothers Korah, Tappuah, and Rekem. Shema's son was named Raham, and Raham's son was Jorkeam.
Key verses
Shema appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And the sons of Hebron; Korah, and Tappuah, and Rekem, and Shema.
1 Chronicles 2:43 -
And Shema begat Raham, the father of Jorkoam: and Rekem begat Shammai.
1 Chronicles 2:44
Show all 2 references
1 Chronicles (2)
- 1 Chronicles 2:43
- 1 Chronicles 2:44