Original Word: שְׁמַרְיָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Shmaryah
Pronunciation: shem-ar-YAH or shem-ar-YAH-hoo
Phonetic Spelling: (shem-ar-yaw')
KJV: Shamariah, Shemariah
NASB: Shemariah
Word Origin: [from H8104 (שָׁמַר - keep) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. Jah has guarded
2. Shemarjah, the name of four Israelites

Shamariah, Shemariah

Or Shmaryahuw {shem-ar-yaw'-hoo}; from shamar and Yahh; Jah has guarded; Shemarjah, the name of four Israelites -- Shamariah, Shemariah.

see HEBREW shamar

see HEBREW Yahh

Word Origin
from shamar and Yah
Definition
"Yah has kept," three Isr.
NASB Translation
Shemariah (4).

שְׁמַרְיָ֫ה(וּׅ proper name, masculine (׳י has kept, preserved); — Σαμαρ(ε)ια(ς):

1 יָ֫הוּ#NAME? 1 Chronicles 12:6 (van d. H. v.1 Chronicles 12:5). Elsewhere יָה-:

2 son of Rehoboam2Chronicles 11:19.

3 contemporaries of Ezra:

a. Ezra 10:32.

b. Ezra 10:41.

Biblical Occurrences

1. 1 Chronicles 12:6 – A Benjamite warrior who defected to David at Ziklag: “Eluzai, Jerimoth, Bealiah, Shemariah, Shephatiah the Haruphite;”.
2. 2 Chronicles 11:19 – A son of King Rehoboam by Maacah: “She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham.”.
3. Ezra 10:32 – A returned exile admonished for taking a foreign wife: “Benjamin, Malluch, Shemariah;”.
4. Ezra 10:41 – A second individual of the same name (or the same man listed again) also implicated in mixed marriage: “Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah;”.

Historical Context and Roles

• Warrior in David’s Early Reign

Shemariah’s first appearance joins the roll of Benjamites who risked everything by switching allegiance from Saul’s declining house to David’s anointed kingship. His decision helped heal tribal rifts and strengthened David’s legitimacy. The passage highlights courageous loyalty to God’s chosen leader over tribal or political convenience.

• Prince in the Divided Kingdom

The second Shemariah, born into Judah’s royal family shortly after the northern secession, represents the next generation of Davidic heirs. Though not in the direct messianic line, his inclusion underscores God’s preservation of the dynasty despite the nation’s spiritual volatility during Rehoboam’s reign.

• Participant in Post-Exilic Reform

In Ezra, two men named Shemariah are numbered among those who repented for unlawful marriages. Their listing shows the seriousness with which the restored community guarded covenant purity. By willingly separating from foreign wives, they illustrated personal sacrifice for collective holiness.

Genealogical Significance

1. Bridges between Houses – The Benjamite Shemariah embodies the gradual reconciliation of Saul’s tribe with David’s line, foreshadowing the unified kingdom under David’s greater Son.
2. Royal Descendant – The prince born to Rehoboam affirms God’s ongoing commitment to the Davidic promise even amid moral failures.
3. Post-Exilic Remnant – The Ezra references place the name within the faithful remnant returning from captivity, preserving ancestral identity while purging idolatrous impurity.

Spiritual Themes

• Covenant Loyalty – Whether abandoning Saul for David or surrendering personal relationships in Ezra, each Shemariah illustrates allegiance to God’s revealed will over cultural or familial pressure.
• Divine Preservation – Across centuries—United Monarchy, Divided Kingdom, Exile, and Restoration—individuals bearing this name testify to the Lord’s safeguarding of His purposes.
• Repentant Obedience – The Ezra narratives emphasize that covenant breaches can be remedied through confession and decisive action, reinforcing the pattern of renewal throughout Scripture.

Ministry Lessons

1. Align with God’s Anointed: Like the Benjamite defectors, believers are called to identify with the true King despite potential cost.
2. Value Generational Faithfulness: The royal offspring reminds parents and leaders to nurture successors who will carry forward covenant promises.
3. Pursue Holiness in Community: The post-exilic reforms show that personal choices affect corporate worship; discipline and restoration go hand-in-hand.

Theological Reflection

The scattered appearances of Shemariah frame a panorama of redemptive history—from the rise of David through national fragmentation to post-captivity renewal. Each scene underscores God’s vigilant oversight, steering individuals and nations toward His salvific plan that culminates in Jesus Christ, the ultimate Son of David who gathers a purified people to Himself.

Practical Application

• Courageously realign when conviction demands.
• Guard the next generation’s spiritual heritage.
• Act promptly to remove compromises that threaten covenant integrity.

Summary

Though mentioned only four times, Shemariah stands as a multifaceted witness to divine guardianship, loyal service, and repentant faithfulness. His name threads through pivotal epochs, reminding readers that God both protects and purifies a people for His glory.

וּשְׁמַרְיָ֔הוּ ושמריהו שְׁמַרְיָ֖ה שְׁמַרְיָֽה׃ שמריה שמריה׃ šə·mar·yāh šəmaryāh shemarYah ū·šə·mar·yā·hū ūšəmaryāhū ushemarYahuInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts