Topical Encyclopedia
Shemer is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His significance primarily arises from his association with the city of Samaria, which became the capital of the Northern Kingdom.
Biblical References:1.
1 Kings 16:24 : "He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city on the hill, naming the city he built after Shemer, the owner of the hill, Samaria."
This verse provides the primary biblical reference to Shemer. It describes how Omri, the sixth king of Israel, purchased a hill from Shemer and established the city of Samaria upon it. The city was named after Shemer, indicating his ownership of the land prior to its development into the capital city.
Historical and Theological Context:·
Omri's Reign: Omri's acquisition of the hill from Shemer and the subsequent establishment of Samaria as the capital marked a significant shift in the political and cultural landscape of the Northern Kingdom. Samaria became a central hub for the kingdom and played a crucial role in its history.
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Significance of Samaria: The city of Samaria, named after Shemer, became synonymous with the Northern Kingdom itself. It was a center of political power and religious activity, often associated with the idolatrous practices that characterized the Northern Kingdom's deviation from the worship of Yahweh.
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Symbolism of the Name: The naming of Samaria after Shemer highlights the common biblical practice of naming places after individuals, which often served to memorialize the original owners or significant figures associated with the location.
Cultural and Archaeological Insights:·
Location and Geography: The hill of Samaria, purchased from Shemer, was strategically located, offering a defensible position and a vantage point over the surrounding region. This made it an ideal location for a capital city.
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Archaeological Discoveries: Excavations in the region of ancient Samaria have uncovered significant artifacts and structures that provide insight into the city's development and the broader cultural context of the Northern Kingdom during Omri's reign and beyond.
Legacy:Shemer's legacy is primarily tied to the city of Samaria, which played a pivotal role in the history of Israel. The city's association with Shemer is a testament to the enduring impact of individual figures in biblical narratives, whose names and actions are woven into the fabric of Israel's history. The biblical account of Shemer and the establishment of Samaria serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between divine providence and human agency in the unfolding account of God's people.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Shemerguardian; thorn
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Shemer(preserved), the owner of the hill on which the city of Samaria was built. (1 Kings 16:24) (B.C. 917.) [SAMARIA]
ATS Bible Dictionary
ShemerThe former owner of the hill on which Omri built Samaria,1 Kings 16:24.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SHEMERshe'-mer (shemer; Semer, Lucian, Semmer):
(1) The owner of the hill which Omri bought and which became the site of Samaria (1 Kings 16:24, shomeron). Shemer may be an ancient clan name. The fact, however, that the mountain was called Shomeron when Omri bought it makes one doubt that the city of Samaria was named after Shemer; the passage is questionable. The real etymology of Samaria roots it in "watch mountain" (see Stade, Zeitschrift, 165).
(2) A Merarite (1 Chronicles 6:46 (31), Semmer).
(3) An Asherite (1 Chronicles 7:34, A and Lucian, Somer), called "Shomer" in1 Chronicles 7:32.
(4) A Benjamite (1 Chronicles 8:12, Codex Vaticanus Semer; Codex Alexandrinus Semmer; Lucian, Samaiel); the Revised Version (British and American) "Shemed," the King James Version "Shamed."
The Hebrew manuscripts differ; some read "Shemer," others "Shemedh."
Horace J. Wolf
Strong's Hebrew
8106.Shemer -- three Israelites... 8105, 8106.
Shemer. 8107 . three Israelites. Transliteration:
Shemer Phonetic
Spelling: (sheh'-mer) Short Definition:
Shemer.
... NASB Word Usage
Shemer (4).
...8105.shemer -- lees, dregs
... 8104, 8105.shemer. 8106 . lees, dregs. Transliteration:shemer Phonetic Spelling:
(sheh'-mer) Short Definition: wine.... 8104, 8105.shemer. 8106 ....
8110. Shimrown -- a city of Canaan
... Shimron Fromshemer in its original sense; guardianship; Shimron, the name of an
Israelite and of a place in Palestine -- Shimron. see HEBREWshemer....
8113. Shimri -- four Israelites
... NASB Word Usage Shimri (4). Shimri. Fromshemer in its original sense; watchful;
Shimri, the name of four Israelites -- Shimri. see HEBREWshemer. 8112, 8113...
Library
The Record of Two Kings
... And he bought the hill Samaria ofShemer for two talents of silver, and built on
the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of...
Elijah and the Widow's Son
... He bought the hill Samaria fromShemer for two talents of silver; and he built a
city on the hill and named it Samaria, afterShemer, the owner of the hill....
Thesaurus
Shemer (4 Occurrences)...SHEMER. she'-mer (
shemer; Semer, Lucian, Semmer): (1) The owner of the hill which
Omri bought and which became the site of Samaria (1 Kings 16:24, shomeron).
...Naming (21 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Kings 16:24 He got the hill Samaria fromShemer for the price of two talents
of silver, and he made a town there, building it on the hill and naming it...
Talents (36 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 16:24 He bought the hill Samaria ofShemer for two talents of silver; and
he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after...
Buyeth (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 16:24 and he buyeth the mount Samaria fromShemer, with two talents of silver,
and buildeth 'on' the mount, and calleth the name of the city that he...
Sama'ria (102 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 16:24 And he bought the hill Samaria ofShemer for two talents of silver;
and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built...
Buildeth (73 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 16:24 and he buyeth the mount Samaria fromShemer, with two talents of silver,
and buildeth 'on' the mount, and calleth the name of the city that he...
Former (107 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 16:24 And he bought the hill Samaria ofShemer for two talents of silver;
and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built...
Samaria (123 Occurrences)
... Omri, the king of Israel, purchased this hill fromShemer its owner for two talents
of silver, and built on its broad summit the city to which he gave the name...
Owner (56 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 16:24 He bought the hill Samaria ofShemer for two talents of silver; and
he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after...
Shemesh (24 Occurrences)
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