Shimei שִׁמְעִי
Son of Gershon and grandson of Levi.
Who is Shimei in the Bible?
Shimei was a son of Gershon and grandson of Levi, serving as the founder of one of the three main divisions of the Levites (Numbers 3:18, 1 Chronicles 6:17). His descendants, known as the Shimites, formed a significant Levitical clan responsible for various duties in the tabernacle and temple service (Numbers 3:21). During David's reign, the Shimites were formally appointed to serve in the house of the Lord (1 Chronicles 23:7, 10). The clan's importance extended into the prophetic future, as Zechariah identified the Shimites among the Levitical families destined to mourn and seek cleansing from sin (Zechariah 12:13). Shimei's lineage thus represents a foundational priestly line in Israel's religious structure and worship practices.
Biography
Shimei was the son of Gershon and the grandson of Levi (Num. 3:18; Ex. 6:17; 1 Ch. 6:17). He was one of the three main divisions of the Levites, along with the descendants of Kohath and Merari. The Shimites, his descendants, formed a clan within the Levites (Num. 3:21) and were responsible for various duties in the tabernacle and temple service. In the time of David, the Shimites were among the Levites appointed to serve in the house of the Lord (1 Ch. 23:7, 10). The clan of Shimei is also mentioned in the prophetic vision of Zechariah, where they are listed among the Levitical families that will mourn and seek cleansing from sin (Zec. 12:13).
Family
Offspring
- Jahath Tribe of LeviSon of ShimeiLevite, descendant of Shimei, son of Gershon.View full profile →
- Zizah Tribe of LeviSon of ShimeiGershonite Levite, son of ShimeiView full profile →
- Jeush Tribe of LeviSon of ShimeiA Levite, son of Shimei or ShubaelView full profile →
- Beriah Tribe of LeviSon of ShimeiLevite in the time of DavidView full profile →
In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 1 with study contentNumbers 2 verses
- Numbers 3:18
"These were the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei."
- Numbers 3:21
"From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans."
1 Chronicles 3 verses
- 1 Chronicles 6:17
"These are the names of the sons of Gershom: Libni and Shimei."
- 1 Chronicles 23:7
"The Gershonites: Ladan and Shimei."
- 1 Chronicles 23:10
"And the sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These were the sons of Shimei—four in all."
Exodus 1 verse
- Exodus 6:17
"The sons of Gershon were Libni and Shimei, by their clans."
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Zechariah 1 verse
- Zechariah 12:13
"the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שִׁמְעִי | Shimi , the name of twenty Israelites |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | שִׁמְעִי | Shimi , the name of twenty Israelites |
| Group | Hebrew | שִׁמְעִי | — |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | שִׁמְעִי | — |