The term "Shiphmite" refers to an individual or a group of people originating from a place called Shiphmoth, although the exact location of Shiphmoth is not clearly identified in biblical records. The Shiphmites are mentioned in the context of King David's reign, specifically in the administrative structure of his kingdom.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to a Shiphmite is found in 1 Chronicles 27:27, which states: "Shimei the Ramathite was in charge of the vineyards; Zabdi the Shiphmite was in charge of the produce of the vineyards for the wine cellars."

In this passage, Zabdi the Shiphmite is listed among the officials who managed King David's resources. He was responsible for overseeing the produce of the vineyards, specifically for the wine cellars. This indicates that the Shiphmites, or at least Zabdi, were involved in agricultural activities, particularly viticulture, which was an important aspect of the economy and daily life in ancient Israel.

Historical and Cultural Context:

During King David's reign, the kingdom of Israel was organized into a well-structured administration to manage its resources effectively. This included the division of labor among various officials who were responsible for different aspects of the kingdom's economy, such as agriculture, military, and treasury. The mention of Zabdi the Shiphmite highlights the importance of wine production in Israel's economy and the need for skilled management of this valuable resource.

The role of a Shiphmite in this context underscores the significance of local expertise and the integration of various communities within the broader framework of the Israelite kingdom. The Shiphmites, like other groups mentioned in the administrative lists, contributed to the prosperity and stability of David's reign by ensuring the efficient management of resources.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the inclusion of individuals like Zabdi the Shiphmite in the biblical narrative reflects the biblical theme of stewardship. The Bible often emphasizes the importance of managing God's creation responsibly and using one's skills and resources for the benefit of the community and the glory of God. The Shiphmite's role in overseeing the vineyards can be seen as an example of faithful stewardship, where human effort and divine provision work together to sustain the community.

Furthermore, the detailed records of David's officials, including the Shiphmite, demonstrate the biblical principle of order and organization within God's kingdom. This orderliness is seen as a reflection of God's character and His desire for His people to live in harmony and productivity.

Conclusion:

While the Shiphmites are not extensively mentioned in the Bible, their inclusion in the administrative records of King David's reign provides valuable insight into the social and economic structures of ancient Israel. The Shiphmite's role in managing the vineyards highlights the importance of agriculture in biblical times and serves as a reminder of the biblical call to stewardship and faithful service.Probably the designation of Zabdi, who has charge of David's vineyards (1 Chronicles 27:27). SHIPHMITE

shif'-mit.

See SHEPHAM; SIPHMOTH.

8225. Shiphmi -- inhab. of Shepham
... inhab. of Shepham. Transliteration: Shiphmi Phonetic Spelling: (shif-mee') Short
Definition: Shiphmite. ... of Shepham NASB Word Usage Shiphmite (1). Shiphmite. ...
/hebrew/8225.htm - 6kShiphmite (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SHIPHMITE. shif'-mit. See SHEPHAM; SIPHMOTH.
Multi-Version Concordance Shiphmite (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/shiphmite.htm - 7k

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)
... (2.) A Benjamite (1 Chronicles 8:19). (3.) Called "the Shiphmite," one of David's
officers, who had charge of his vineyards (1 Chronicles 27:27). ...
/z/zabdi.htm - 13k

Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 27:27 Shimei the Ramathite was responsible for the vine-gardens; Zabdi
the Shiphmite was responsible for the produce of the vine-gardens and for ...
/v/vine-gardens.htm - 19k

Vats (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 27:27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the
increase of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: (See NIV ...
/v/vats.htm - 7k

Winecellars (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Chronicles 27:27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the
increase of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: (WEB). ...
/w/winecellars.htm - 6k

Wine-cellars (1 Occurrence)
... Chronicles 27:27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the increase
of the vineyards for the wine-cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: (See JPS ...
/w/wine-cellars.htm - 6k

Ramathite (1 Occurrence)
... Chronicles 27:27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the increase
of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: (WEB KJV ...
/r/ramathite.htm - 7k

Ra'mathite (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Chronicles 27:27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the
increase of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: (See RSV ...
/r/ra'mathite.htm - 6k

Cellars (3 Occurrences)
... Chronicles 27:27 and over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: and over the increase
of the vineyards for the winecellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: (Root in ...
/c/cellars.htm - 7k

Siphmoth (1 Occurrence)
... The site has not been recovered. Zabdi the Shiphmite (1 Chronicles 27:27) may quite
probably have been a native of this place. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/siphmoth.htm - 7k

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