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SHEM

(Heb. šēm; Gk. Sēm)

A son of Noah, brother of Ham and Japheth (Gen. 5:32). Shem is listed as the first and eldest (cf. Gen. 9:24; 10:21) son of Noah, though in genealogical accounts he appears last (Gen. 10:21-31; 1 Chr. 1:4, 17-27), perhaps to emphasize his paternity of the individuals who follow. Shem accompanied his wife on the ark (Gen. 7:13) and escaped the Flood, apparently because of Noah’s righteousness (6:8-9). Later he received God’s blessing (Gen. 9:1). After Ham saw Noah’s nakedness, it was Shem and Japheth who covered Noah and were blessed at Canaan’s expense (Gen. 9:23-27).

Shem is the ancestor of diverse peoples, both Semitic — to whom he lends his name — and non-Semitic (Elam), who inhabited various areas (Gen. 10:21-31; 11:10-26). Shem is also the ancestor of the Hebrews (through Eber) and hence the forefather of Abraham. Perhaps for this reason Sirach calls him “honored” (Sir. 49:16); Luke explicitly mentions him in the genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:36).

Shem means “name” or “fame.” Despite some evidence that šm was used as an epithet or name for a god(s), a (semi-)divine status for Shem is unlikely.

Bibliography. B. Becking, “Shem,” DDD, 763-64; M. Lubetski, “ŠM as a Deity,” Religion 17 (1987): 1-14.

Brent A. Strawn

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SHEM

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)