Shemaiah
“Jehovah has heard”
Summary
One of the most common names in the Old Testament, meaning 'Jehovah has heard,' borne by more than twenty-five individuals including a prophet who prevented civil war under Rehoboam, numerous Levites, and false prophets condemned by Jeremiah.
☩The Prophet Under Rehoboam
The most notable Shemaiah was the prophet who received God's word commanding Rehoboam not to make war against Jeroboam and the ten tribes that had seceded. When Rehoboam assembled 180,000 warriors from Judah and Benjamin, Shemaiah declared: 'You shall not go up nor fight against your brothers. Return, every man to his house, for this thing is from me.' The king and people obeyed. Later, when Shishak of Egypt invaded, Shemaiah announced that God had abandoned them because they had abandoned Him—but when they humbled themselves, deliverance came. He also wrote chronicles recording the acts of Rehoboam's reign.
☩Levites and Temple Officials
Numerous Levites named Shemaiah served in various capacities: one helped bring the ark from Obed-edom's house during David's reign; another served as scribe recording the priestly divisions; one was head of the porters and had many sons who were capable men; others served as teachers sent by Jehoshaphat to instruct the people in the law. After the exile, Shemaiahs served in temple worship, as treasurers, and as participants in the dedication of Jerusalem's walls.
☩The False Prophet
A Shemaiah the Nehelamite was among the exiles in Babylon who opposed Jeremiah's message that the captivity would last seventy years. He sent letters to Jerusalem urging action against Jeremiah for advising the exiles to settle down. The Lord declared through Jeremiah that Shemaiah had prophesied lies and led the people to trust in falsehood, and that neither he nor his descendants would see the good God would do for His people.
Related Verses43 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shemaiah," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Shemaiah (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Shemaiah," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).