Original Word: סִסְמַי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Cicmay
Pronunciation: sis-MAI
Phonetic Spelling: (sis-mah'-ee)
KJV: Sisamai
NASB: Sismai
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. Sismai, an Israelite

Sisamai

Of uncertain derivation; Sismai, an Israelite -- Sisamai.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a man of Judah
NASB Translation
Sismai (2).

ִ˜ססְמַי proper name, masculine name in Judah (on Phoenician proper name, of divinity. ססמ(יׅ see Lzb³³⁰ Ren in CIS^{i. No. 95, 3, al} Bae^{Rel 64 f.} Kit^{1Chronicles 2:40}); — ׳ס 1 Chronicles 2:40 b, ִ˜ססְמָ֑י 1 Chronicles 2:40 a; ᵐ5 Σοσομαι, ᵐ5^L Σασαμει.

Biblical Occurrences

1 Chronicles 2:40 records the name twice in rapid succession:

“Eleasah fathered Sismai, and Sismai fathered Shallum”.

There are no further appearances, speeches, or acts attributed to Sismai elsewhere in Scripture.

Genealogical Context

1 Chronicles 2 traces the tribe of Judah from Judah himself through Hezron, Jerahmeel, and Sheshan. Sheshan had no sons, so he married his daughter to Jarha, an Egyptian servant (1 Chronicles 2:34–35). Their line runs:

Jarha → Attai → Nathan → Zabad → Ephlal → Obed → Jehu → Azariah → Helez → Eleasah → Sismai → Shallum → Jekamiah → Elishama.

Sismai therefore stands in the eleventh generation after Sheshan and is part of a branch that blends Israelite and Egyptian ancestry, yet is fully integrated into the tribe of Judah.

Historical Background

The Chronicler composed these genealogies for the post-exilic community, reminding returned exiles of their roots in the patriarchal promises. By inserting the Jarha line—where a servant of foreign origin is grafted into Judah—the author highlights the inclusiveness of covenant grace even under Old Testament law. Sismai’s placement centuries later indicates that the family not only remained within Judah but also produced further generations (Shallum, Jekamiah, Elishama) whose names echo prophetic and royal circles (“Elishama” appears in royal lists of Davidic descendants, 1 Chronicles 3:6, 8).

Theological Significance

1. Covenant Faithfulness: Despite exile, intermarriage, and the passing of many generations, God preserves Judah’s lineage. Sismai’s brief mention is one link in an unbroken chain demonstrating the reliability of divine promises made to Judah (Genesis 49:10).
2. Integration of the Sojourner: Jarha’s incorporation shows that faith and covenant allegiance, not ethnicity alone, determine standing among God’s people (compare Exodus 12:48; Isaiah 56:3). Sismai’s existence generations later confirms the lasting acceptance of such grafted branches.
3. Quiet Obedience: Sismai performs no recorded exploits; his significance lies in faithfully transmitting life and inheritance. Scripture thus honors ordinary believers whose primary service is to “declare His works to the next generation” (Psalm 71:18).

Implications for Ministry Today

• Genealogies affirm every believer’s place in God’s redemptive story, encouraging those who labor unseen that the Lord values faithfulness over fame.
• Churches should welcome and disciple those of diverse backgrounds, confident that God weaves them into His people just as Jarha’s line produced Sismai.
• Leadership training can draw on such texts to emphasize multigenerational vision: investing in spiritual “children” who will one day father their own disciples, perpetuating gospel legacy beyond our own lifetimes.

וְסִסְמַ֖י וססמי סִֽסְמָ֔י ססמי sis·māy sisMai sismāy vesisMai wə·sis·may wəsismayInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts