Shama
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Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:
Shama is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of King David's mighty warriors. His name, derived from the Hebrew "שַׁמָּע" (Shammah), means "astonishment" or "desolation." Shama is recognized for his valor and loyalty to King David, serving as a testament to the strength and faithfulness of those who supported Israel's anointed king.

Biblical References:
Shama is primarily mentioned in the books of 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles, where he is listed among the elite group known as David's Mighty Men. These warriors were renowned for their extraordinary feats and unwavering dedication to David during his reign.

1. 2 Samuel 23:11-12 :
"And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered into a troop where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the people fled from the Philistines. But he took his stand in the middle of the plot and defended it, and struck down the Philistines; and the LORD brought about a great victory."

In this passage, Shama is depicted as a courageous warrior who stood his ground against the Philistines. His defense of the lentil field, despite the retreat of his fellow Israelites, highlights his bravery and the divine intervention that led to a significant victory for Israel.

2. 1 Chronicles 11:13-14 :
"He was with David at Pas-dammim when the Philistines had gathered there for battle. At a plot of ground full of barley, the troops fled from the Philistines. But they took their stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines. So the LORD brought about a great victory."

This account parallels the narrative in 2 Samuel, emphasizing Shama's role in the battle and the miraculous victory attributed to the LORD's intervention. The consistency in these accounts underscores the importance of Shama's actions in the broader narrative of David's military successes.

Role and Significance:
Shama's inclusion among David's Mighty Men signifies his importance in the military hierarchy of ancient Israel. His actions exemplify the qualities of courage, loyalty, and faith in God's deliverance. As a member of this elite group, Shama contributed to the establishment and security of David's kingdom, which was central to the unfolding of God's covenantal promises to Israel.

Theological Implications:
Shama's account serves as a reminder of the power of faith and the importance of standing firm in the face of overwhelming odds. His reliance on divine assistance reflects a broader biblical theme where human effort, combined with God's intervention, leads to victory. This narrative encourages believers to trust in God's providence and to remain steadfast in their commitments, even when others falter.

Conclusion:
While Shama's appearances in the biblical text are brief, his legacy as a mighty warrior of David endures. His account is a testament to the valor and faithfulness that characterized the men who supported David, Israel's chosen king, and by extension, the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the lineage of David.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Shama

(obedient), one of David's guard. (1 Chronicles 11:44) (B.C. 1020.)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) A saxicoline singing bird (Kittacincla macroura) of India, noted for the sweetness and power of its song. In confinement it imitates the notes of other birds and various animals with accuracy. Its head, neck, back, breast, and tail are glossy black, the rump white, the under parts chestnut.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SHAMA

sha'-ma (shama`): One of David's heroes (1 Chronicles 11:44).

Strong's Hebrew
8091. Shama -- one of David's heroes
... 8090, 8091. Shama. 8092 . one of David's heroes. Transliteration: Shama
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-maw') Short Definition: Shama. ...
/hebrew/8091.htm - 6k

8085. shama -- to hear
... 8084, 8085. shama. 8086 . to hear. Transliteration: shama Phonetic Spelling:
(shaw-mah') Short Definition: heard. ... 8084, 8085. shama. 8086 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/8085.htm - 7k

3458. Yishmael -- "God hears," the name of several Israelites
... Word Origin from shama and el Definition "God hears," the name of several Isr. NASB
Word Usage Ishmael (47), Ishmael's (1). ... see HEBREW shama'. see HEBREW 'el. ...
/hebrew/3458.htm - 6k

3460. Yishmayah -- "Yah hears," two Israelites
... Word Origin from shama and Yah Definition "Yah hears," two Isr. NASB Word Usage
Ishmaiah (2). Ishmaiah. ... see HEBREW shama'. see HEBREW Yahh. 3459, 3460. ...
/hebrew/3460.htm - 6k

8098. Shemayah -- "Yah hears," the name of a number of Isr.
... Word Origin from shama and Yah Definition "Yah hears," the name of a number of Isr.
NASB Word Usage Shemaiah (41). Shemaiah. ... see HEBREW shama'. see HEBREW Yahh. ...
/hebrew/8098.htm - 6k

4926. mishma -- something heard
... Word Origin from shama Definition something heard NASB Word Usage what...hear (1).
hearing. From shama'; a report -- hearing. see HEBREW shama'. ...
/hebrew/4926.htm - 6k

8095. Shimon -- a son of Jacob, also his tribe, also an Israelite ...
... Word Origin from shama Definition a son of Jacob, also his tribe, also an Isr. with
a foreign wife NASB Word Usage Shimeon (1), Simeon (43). ... see HEBREW shama'. ...
/hebrew/8095.htm - 6k

2045. hashmauth -- a causing to hear
... Word Origin from shama Definition a causing to hear NASB Word Usage information
(1). to cause to hear. From shama'; announcement -- to cause to hear. ...
/hebrew/2045.htm - 6k

8088. shema -- a hearing, report
... Word Origin from shama Definition a hearing, report NASB Word Usage about (1), fame
(4), hear* (1), hearing (1), news (1), proclamation (1), report (8). ...
/hebrew/8088.htm - 6k

476. Elishama -- "God has heard," the name of several Israelites
... Word Origin from el and shama Definition "God has heard," the name of several Isr.
NASB Word Usage Elishama (17). Elishama. ... see HEBREW 'el. see HEBREW shama'. ...
/hebrew/476.htm - 6k

Library

Chapter xvi
... When Abram "hearkens" (shama') to his wife's "voice" (q??l), he "approves of Sarai's
suggestion." No doubt, the patriarch was impressed by Sarai's utter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xvi.htm

Chapter xxxix
... double precautions: he took care not even "to be with her." The infinitive construction
(kedhabberah) goes over into the finite verb construction (shama'), cf. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxix.htm

Chapter xxix
... And she called his name Simeon (Hearing). Yahweh "heard" (shama'), so she calls
him "hearing" (shim'??n). So in Hebrew the idea becomes more readily apparent. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxix.htm

Thesaurus
Shama (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHAMA. sha'-ma (shama`): One of David's heroes
(1 Chronicles 11:44). Multi-Version Concordance Shama (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/shama.htm - 7k

Eli'shama (17 Occurrences)
Eli'shama. Elishama, Eli'shama. Elishaphat . Multi-Version Concordance
Eli'shama (17 Occurrences). Numbers 1:10 Of the ...
/e/eli'shama.htm - 10k

Discern (49 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DISCERN. di-zurn': Five Hebrew words are thus
translated: bin, yadha`, nakhar, ra'ah and shama`. ... (2 Samuel 14:17, shama`). ...
/d/discern.htm - 22k

Elishama (17 Occurrences)

/e/elishama.htm - 13k

Uzzia (1 Occurrence)
... Uzzia (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel
the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/u/uzzia.htm - 6k

Uzzi'a (1 Occurrence)
... Uzzi'a (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel
the sons of Hotham the Aroerite; (See RSV). Uzzia, Uzzi'a. Uzziah . ...
/u/uzzi'a.htm - 6k

Obey (219 Occurrences)
... o-be'-di-ens, o-ba (shama`; hupakoe): 1. Meaning of Terms: In its simpler Old Testament
meaning the word signifies "to hear," "to listen." It carries with it ...
/o/obey.htm - 39k

Je-i'el (11 Occurrences)
... Maacah: (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel
the sons of Hotham the Aroerite, (See RSV). 1 Chronicles 15 ...
/j/je-i'el.htm - 9k

Jehiel (17 Occurrences)
... WBS YLT). 1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the
sons of Hothan the Aroerite, (KJV WBS YLT). 1 Chronicles ...
/j/jehiel.htm - 16k

Jeiel (13 Occurrences)
... NIV). 1 Chronicles 11:44 Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jeiel the sons
of Hotham the Aroerite, (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS NIV). 1 ...
/j/jeiel.htm - 13k

Resources
Shama: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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