Shammah(shimma)
“Astonishment or desolation”
Summary
A name borne by several Old Testament figures, most notably David's brother and two of his mighty warriors who performed legendary exploits.
☩Son of Reuel
The earliest Shammah mentioned in Scripture was a son of Reuel and grandson of Esau, who became a chief among the Edomites. He lived around 1850 BC and founded one of the tribal clans of Edom.
☩Brother of David
The third son of Jesse was named Shammah. He was present at David's anointing by Samuel and later served with his two elder brothers in Saul's army during the Philistine campaigns, including the confrontation in the Valley of Elah when David killed Goliath. His son Jonadab was the crafty friend who advised Amnon in the tragic affair with Tamar, and another son Jonathan killed a Philistine giant at Gath. This Shammah appears elsewhere as Shimea, Shimeah, and Shimma—variant spellings of the same name.
☩Son of Agee the Hararite
One of David's three greatest champions was Shammah, son of Agee the Hararite. His renowned exploit occurred when the Philistines gathered for battle in a field of lentils (or barley—the texts vary slightly). When all Israel fled, Shammah stood alone in the middle of the field and defended it, striking down the Philistines in a great victory that the Lord wrought through him. He also participated in the famous exploit of breaking through Philistine lines to bring David water from the well of Bethlehem.
☩Other Individuals
A Shammah the Harodite (native of Harod) appears among David's thirty mighty men. He is probably the same as Shammoth the Harorite and Shamhuth the Izrahite mentioned in the parallel lists. Additionally, a Shammah the Hararite appears in 2 Samuel 23:33, though textual confusion suggests this may refer to the father of Jonathan rather than a separate warrior.
Related Verses13 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shammah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Shammah," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Shammah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).