Who was Shemiramoth in the bible?
Shemiramoth is the name of two Israelites mentioned in 1 Chronicles 15–16 and 2 Chronicles 17.
Temple Music Role
In David’s arrangements, Shemiramoth is listed among those “with stringed instruments set to Alamoth” (1 Chronicles 15:20). He is also named among those serving “with stringed instruments and with harps” (1 Chronicles 16:5).
Learn More →Teaching Mission
Shemiramoth is named among “the Levites” sent out to teach (2 Chronicles 17:8). “They taught in Judah, having the book of Yahweh’s law with them” (2 Chronicles 17:9).
Learn More →Shemiramoth is the name of two Israelites mentioned in Chronicles. In the passages provided, one Shemiramoth appears among Levites appointed for music and ministry before the ark, and another appears among Levites sent to teach in Judah.
Shemiramoth in Scripture
In 1 Chronicles 15, Shemiramoth is named in the setting where David organized Levites for singing and instrumental music. The narrative frame begins with David’s instruction:
“David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers with instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up their voices with joy.” (1 Chronicles 15:16)
After leading singers are appointed—
“So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brothers, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brothers, Ethan the son of Kushaiah;” (1 Chronicles 15:17)
—Shemiramoth appears among “their brothers of the second rank,” alongside others and with doorkeepers included in the list:
“and with them their brothers of the second rank, Zechariah, Ben, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, Mikneiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, the doorkeepers.” (1 Chronicles 15:18)
The chapter continues by describing assigned instruments. After noting the main singers’ cymbals—
“So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were given cymbals of bronze to sound aloud;” (1 Chronicles 15:19)
—Shemiramoth is named again among those playing stringed instruments:
“and Zechariah, Aziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with stringed instruments set to Alamoth;” (1 Chronicles 15:20)
In 1 Chronicles 16, the scene remains focused on worship and ministry centered on “Yahweh’s ark.” The narrative first notes a distribution to all Israel:
“He gave to everyone of Israel, both man and woman, to everyone a loaf of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins.” (1 Chronicles 16:3)
Then it describes David’s appointments of Levites “to minister before Yahweh’s ark” with specific purposes:
“He appointed some of the Levites to minister before Yahweh’s ark, and to commemorate, to thank, and to praise Yahweh, the God of Israel:” (1 Chronicles 16:4)
Shemiramoth is listed among these appointees, in a roster headed by Asaph:
“Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;” (1 Chronicles 16:5)
The context adds that “Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests” were stationed with trumpets “continually”:
“with Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests with trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.” (1 Chronicles 16:6)
It then introduces a day of formal thanksgiving led through Asaph:
“Then on that day David first ordained to give thanks to Yahweh, by the hand of Asaph and his brothers.” (1 Chronicles 16:7)
The quoted thanksgiving begins with a call to worship:
“Oh give thanks to Yahweh. Call on his name. Make what he has done known among the peoples.” (1 Chronicles 16:8)
In 2 Chronicles 17, Shemiramoth appears in a different setting: a teaching mission in Judah connected with King Jehoshaphat. The immediate frame describes the king’s devotion and reform:
“His heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah.” (2 Chronicles 17:6)
Jehoshaphat then sends leaders “to teach in the cities of Judah”:
“Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;” (2 Chronicles 17:7)
Along with these princes, Levites are named; Shemiramoth appears within this Levitical group:
“and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.” (2 Chronicles 17:8)
The chapter summarizes their activity as a law-centered teaching effort throughout Judah:
“They taught in Judah, having the book of Yahweh’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.” (2 Chronicles 17:9)
The reported result is that surrounding kingdoms did not wage war against Jehoshaphat:
“The fear of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.” (2 Chronicles 17:10)
Multiple Bearers
The identity gloss supplied with the name states that Shemiramoth is “the name of two Israelites,” and the verses present Shemiramoth in two distinct contexts.
(1) Shemiramoth among David’s Levitical appointees. In the Chronicles lists connected with David’s organization of worship around “Yahweh’s ark,” Shemiramoth is named among “their brothers of the second rank” (1 Chronicles 15:18), among musicians “with stringed instruments set to Alamoth” (1 Chronicles 15:20), and among those appointed “to minister before Yahweh’s ark” (1 Chronicles 16:4–5). The immediate narrative associates this group with music—“stringed instruments and with harps” and “cymbals, sounding aloud” (1 Chronicles 16:5)—and with an organized act of thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 16:7–8).
(2) Shemiramoth among Jehoshaphat’s teaching Levites. In Jehoshaphat’s reign, Shemiramoth appears among named Levites sent with princes and priests “to teach in the cities of Judah” (2 Chronicles 17:7–8). Their work is described as carrying “the book of Yahweh’s law” and teaching across Judah’s cities (2 Chronicles 17:9). This setting emphasizes instruction rather than musical service.
Name and Meaning
The name is written in Hebrew as שְׁמִירָמוֹת (also noted as a variant spelling שְׁמָרִימוֹת), transliterated Shemiyramowth, and pronounced “shem-ee-raw-moth’.” The supplied derivation explains it as likely built from the Hebrew word shem, meaning an appellation or memorial-mark, and a plural form connected with ramah, “a height,” described as a height understood as a seat of idolatry; on this basis it is glossed as meaning “name of heights.”
Observation
Across the passages, the name Shemiramoth is consistently attached to public service in Israel: one bearer appears in organized praise “before Yahweh’s ark” (1 Chronicles 16:4–6), and another in organized instruction, as those who “taught in Judah, having the book of Yahweh’s law with them” (2 Chronicles 17:9).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Shemiramoth mean?
Shemiramoth means “name of heights.”
How many times does Shemiramoth appear in the Bible?
Shemiramoth appears 4 times.
Who was Shemiramoth in the Bible?
Shemiramoth is the name of two Israelites.
Where is Shemiramoth mentioned with other Levites?
Shemiramoth is listed among Levites in 2 Chronicles 17:8.
Explore Further
If you found this page about Shemiramoth interesting and would like to discover more about other biblical characters, explore our comprehensive Encyclopedia of Biblical Characters. For those looking to delve deeper into the Greek origins of these names and terms, our Greek Lexicon is an invaluable resource.
Sources: Name and occurrence data from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and STEPBible reference data (CC BY). Scripture quotations from the World English Bible (public domain).
