Shamai
TextsWhat is the meaning of Shamai in the Bible?
Shamai is a variant personal name found in certain manuscript traditions of 1 Chronicles 4:14, where it substitutes for the more common reading Salma within the genealogical records of the tribe of Judah.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Noting this textual variation illuminates the complexity of biblical transmission, demonstrating how minor scribal differences in personal names can arise and persist across different manuscript families without altering the broader historical or genealogical context of the Judahite lineage.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Shamai functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Shamai in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Shamai clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
1 Chronicles 4:14
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Shamai." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/shamai/