Shammai
שַׁמַּי/SHAM-ay/
“Desolate”
☩Son of Onam
The first Shammai was the elder of two sons of Onam, a descendant of Judah through Jerahmeel. His sons were Nadab and Abishur. He lived around 1618 BC during the period of Israel's sojourn in Egypt.
Key verses:1 Chronicles 2:281 Chronicles 2:32
☩Father of Maon
The second Shammai was the son of Rekem and father (or founder) of Maon, also of the tribe of Judah. Through Maon he was connected to Beth-zur, an important fortified city in Judah's hill country.
Key verses:1 Chronicles 2:44-45
☩Son of Ezra
The third Shammai was the sixth child of a man named Ezra (not the famous scribe) in the tribe of Judah. The genealogical context is complex, with some traditions identifying him symbolically with Moses—though this appears to be later rabbinic speculation rather than historical fact.
Key verses:1 Chronicles 4:17
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shammai," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Shammai," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Shammai," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).