The term "Sheminith" appears in the context of biblical music and worship, specifically in the Psalms and Chronicles. It is a Hebrew word that is often associated with musical direction or instrumentation, though its exact meaning has been the subject of scholarly debate. The word "Sheminith" is derived from the Hebrew root "shmoneh," meaning "eight," which has led to various interpretations regarding its significance in biblical texts.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Chronicles 15:21 · In this passage, the term "Sheminith" is mentioned in the context of the musical arrangements made by King David for the transportation of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The verse states: "and Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-edom, Jeiel, and Azaziah were to lead with harps according to Sheminith." Here, Sheminith is likely a musical term indicating a specific style or tuning for the harps used in worship.

2. Psalm 6:1 · The title of this psalm includes the instruction "For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments, according to Sheminith." This suggests that the psalm was to be performed with a particular musical arrangement or tuning, possibly indicating a lower octave or a specific mode.

3. Psalm 12:1 · Similarly, the title of this psalm reads, "For the choirmaster. According to Sheminith. A Psalm of David." Again, this indicates a musical direction for the performance of the psalm, aligning with the tradition of using specific musical notations for worship.

Interpretations:

The exact meaning of Sheminith has been interpreted in various ways:

· Musical Octave: Some scholars suggest that Sheminith refers to an octave, possibly indicating that the music was to be played in a lower register. This interpretation aligns with the root meaning of "eight," suggesting an eight-note scale or an octave.

· Musical Instrumentation: Others propose that Sheminith may refer to a specific type of instrument or a particular style of playing. This could involve a unique tuning or arrangement that was distinct from other musical directions mentioned in the Psalms.

· Liturgical Function: In the context of temple worship, Sheminith may have had a liturgical function, designating a specific type of musical accompaniment for certain psalms or ceremonies.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Israel, music played a vital role in worship and religious ceremonies. The use of specific musical terms like Sheminith highlights the structured and intentional nature of worship in the temple. The Levites, who were responsible for the musical aspects of worship, would have been well-versed in these terms and their applications.

The mention of Sheminith in the Psalms and Chronicles underscores the importance of music in expressing devotion and reverence to God. It reflects the rich musical tradition of ancient Israel and the care taken to ensure that worship was conducted in a manner that honored the divine.

Conclusion:

While the precise meaning of Sheminith remains uncertain, its presence in the biblical text emphasizes the significance of music in worship and the detailed instructions given for its performance. Whether referring to an octave, a specific instrument, or a style of music, Sheminith represents the dedication to excellence and order in the worship of God.Sheminith

eighth (an eight-stringed instrument)

Sheminith

(eighth), a musical term found in the title of (Psalms 6:1) A similar direction is found in the title of (Psalms 12:1) Comp. 1Chr 15:21 It seems most probable that Sheminith denotes a certain air known as the eighth, or a certain key in which the psalm was to be sung.

Sheminith

In the titles of Psalm 6:1-10; 12:1-8, and in 1 Chronicles 15:21. It means properly the eighth, and seems to have been not an instrument, but a part in music, perhaps the lowest.

Eight; octave, a musical term, supposed to denote the lowest note sung by men's voices (1 Chronicles 15:21; Psalm 6; 12, title). SHEMINITH

shem'-i-nith.

See MUSIC; PSALMS.

8067. sheminith -- Sheminith
... 8066, 8067. sheminith. 8068 . Sheminith. Transliteration: sheminith Phonetic
Spelling: (shem-ee-neeth') Short Definition: Sheminith. Word Origin fem. ...
/hebrew/8067.htm - 5k

8066. shemini -- eighth (an ordinal number)
... Word Origin from the same as shemoneh Definition eighth (an ord. number) NASB Word
Usage eighth (28), sheminith (1). eight. From shmoneh; eight -- eight. ...
/hebrew/8066.htm - 6k

Psalm 6
... Psalm 6. To the chief Musician on Neginoth upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. First
Version (LM). 8,8,8,8. ^1Lord, in thy wrath rebuke me not; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 6.htm

Psalm 12
... Psalm 12. To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. 8,6,8,6.
^1Help, Lord, because the godly man. doth daily fade away; ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 12.htm

On the Creation of the World
... [2204] 1 Macc. ii. 31-41. [2205] Psalm 6:1; [also Psalm 12.On Sheminith, 1 Chronicles
15:21]. [2206] Joshua 6:4. [2207] Mattathias, interp. Vulg. ...
/.../victorinus/on the creation of the world/on the creation of the.htm

Of the Origin of the Word "With," and what Force it Has. Also ...
... 70. Vulg. RV cf. p. 64. [1282] Vide Titles to Pss. vi. and xii. in AV "upon Sheminith,"
marg. "the eighth." LXX huper tes ogdoes. Vulg. pro octava. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xxvii of the origin.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Seventy. See Septuagint. Shalmaneser, 334. Sheminith, 288. Shemitic languages, 175.
Shoshannim, Shushan, and Shushaneduth, 287, seq. Show-bread, 589. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barrows/companion to the bible/index of subjects.htm

The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... instrument so named from its shape, or a particular melody, or, as some think, an
emblematic term referring to the contents of the psalm; Sheminith, the eighth ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxi the poetical books.htm

Sheminith (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHEMINITH. shem'-i-nith. See MUSIC; PSALMS.
Multi-Version Concordance Sheminith (5 Occurrences). ...
/s/sheminith.htm - 8k

Musician (112 Occurrences)
... Psalm 6 For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments, set to the Sheminith. A
Psalm of David. (ASV). ... Psalm 12 For the Chief Musician; set to the Sheminith. ...
/m/musician.htm - 39k

Music-maker (55 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Psalms 6:1 <To the chief music-maker on corded instruments, on the Sheminith.
A Psalm. ... (BBE). Psalms 12:1 <For the chief music-maker on the Sheminith. ...
/m/music-maker.htm - 23k

Shem'inith (1 Occurrence)
Shem'inith. Sheminith, Shem'inith. Shemiramoth . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Sheminith, Shem'inith. Shemiramoth . Reference Bible.
/s/shem'inith.htm - 6k

Psalm (213 Occurrences)
... Psalm 6 For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments, set to the Sheminith. A
Psalm of David. (ASV). ... Psalm 12 For the Chief Musician; set to the Sheminith. ...
/p/psalm.htm - 37k

Music (143 Occurrences)
... Two terms are supposed by some to refer to pitch, namely, "upon," or "set to `Alamoth,"
(Psalm 46), and "upon," or "set to the Sheminith" (Pss 6; 12; compare ...
/m/music.htm - 78k

Harp (36 Occurrences)
... In 1 Chronicles 15:21 mention is made of "harps on the Sheminith;" Revised Version,
"harps set to the Sheminith;" better perhaps "harps of eight strings." The ...
/h/harp.htm - 20k

Neginoth (6 Occurrences)
... me, and hear my prayer. (WBS). Psalms 6:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth
upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not ...
/n/neginoth.htm - 9k

Excel (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and
Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel. (KJV WBS). ...
/e/excel.htm - 10k

Elipheleh (2 Occurrences)
... God will distinguish him, one of the porters appointed to play "on the Sheminith"
on the occasion of the bringing up of the ark to the city of David (1 ...
/e/elipheleh.htm - 7k

To what do the various musical terms in the book of Psalms refer? | GotQuestions.org

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