Shemaiah שְׁמַעְיָ֫הוּ
Levite who lived in Jerusalem
Who is Shemaiah in the Bible?
Shemaiah was a Levite who lived in Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 9:14 and Nehemiah 11:15 as part of the community that resettled the city. In Chronicles, he is identified as the son of Hasshub and a descendant of the Merari clan, while Nehemiah lists him as the son of Bunni, suggesting these may refer to different individuals with the same name or reflect varying genealogical records from different sources. As a Levite, he would have participated in temple service and worship, roles essential to the religious restoration of Judah after exile. His inclusion in these genealogical records underscores the importance the biblical writers placed on documenting the Levites who helped rebuild Jerusalem's spiritual life during the post-exilic period.
Biography
Shemaiah was a Levite who lived in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. He is mentioned in both 1Ch.9.14 and Neh.11.15 as one of the Levites who settled in Jerusalem. In the Chronicles passage, he is described as the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, of the sons of Merari. The Nehemiah passage identifies him as the son of Bunni.
As a Levite, Shemaiah would have had duties related to the temple service and worship. The resettlement of the Levites in Jerusalem was an important step in reestablishing the religious life of the community after the exile. However, no specific details are given about Shemaiah's responsibilities or contributions in this regard.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study content1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 9:14
"From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, a descendant of Merari;"
Nehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 11:15
"From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;"
Study Nehemiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁמַעְיָ֫הוּ |