Shamir
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Shamir in the Bible?
Shamir refers to a sharp thorn or cutting instrument and appears as the name of a son of Micah in biblical genealogies.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the meaning of Shamir as a cutting tool illuminates the traditional Jewish interpretation of 1 Kings 6:7, where the Temple was built without iron tools, by suggesting that Shamir was the divinely provided instrument used for cutting the stone.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Shamir. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Shamir in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Shamir clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
1 Kings 6:7
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
"Shamir." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/shamir/