Shemiramoth שְׁמִירָמוֹת
Levite musician during David's reign
Who is Shemiramoth in the Bible?
Shemiramoth was a Levite musician appointed by King David to play the harp and lyre during the ceremonial procession bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:18, 15:20). He is specifically listed among those chosen to play the harps in this significant religious event, and later served as one of the Levites who ministered before the ark with musical instruments after it reached its new resting place in the capital (1 Chronicles 16:5). Some scholars have tentatively connected the name Shemiramoth with the Assyrian figure Sammuramat based on linguistic similarities, though this remains uncertain. His role highlights the importance of skilled musicians in Israel's worship practices and the prominent place of music in David's religious reforms.
Biography
Shemiramoth was a Levite who served as a musician during the reign of King David. He is mentioned in 1Ch.15.18, 20, and 1Ch.16.5 in the context of the transportation of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. In 1Ch.15.18, Shemiramoth is listed among the Levites appointed by David to play the lyres and harps in the procession of the ark. He is specifically named among those who were to play the harps (1Ch.15.20). Later, in 1Ch.16.5, Shemiramoth is mentioned as one of the Levites who ministered before the ark of the Lord with musical instruments after it had been brought to Jerusalem. These references highlight Shemiramoth's role as a skilled musician and his participation in the significant event of bringing the ark to its new resting place in the capital city.
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Chronicles 3 verses
- 1 Chronicles 15:18
"and with them their brothers next in rank: Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel."
- 1 Chronicles 15:20
"Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah were to play the harps according to Alamoth."
- 1 Chronicles 16:5
"Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁמִירָמוֹת |
Shemiramoth
8">1Ch 15:18,20; 16:5 Shemiramoth is listed among the names of David's choirs; in 2Ch 17:8 the same name is given among the Levites delegated by Jehoshaphat to teach the Law in the cities of Judah. According to Schrader (KAT (2), 366) the name is to be identified with the Assyrian Sammuramat; the latter occurs as a woman's name on the monuments, more especially on the statues of Nebo from Nimrod. Another suggestion is that Shemiramoth was originally a place-name meaning "image of Shemiram" (= name of Ram or "the Exalted One").
Horace J. Wolf
shem'-its.
See SEMITES.
she-mu'-el, shem'-u-el (shemu'el, "name of God" (?) (1Ch 6:33 (<ref osis