Original Word: שֹׁמַע
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: shoma`
Pronunciation: sho-mah
Phonetic Spelling: (sho'-mah)
KJV: fame
NASB: fame, report
Word Origin: [from H8085 (שָׁמַע - heard)]

1. a report

fame

From shama'; a report -- fame.

see HEBREW shama'

Word Origin
from shama
Definition
a report
NASB Translation
fame (2), report (2).

[שֹׁ֫מַע] noun masculine^{Esther 9:4} report; — suffix שָׁמְעוֺ: ׳וַיְהִי שׁ Joshua 6:27, the report of him went, etc.; ׳שָׁמַע שׁ Joshua 9:9 (both R^D), Jeremiah 6:24; הוֺלֵךְ בְּכָלהַֿמְּדִינוֺת ׳וְשׁ Esther 9:4.

Meaning and Semantic Range

שֹׁמַע denotes a “report,” “rumor,” or “fame.” While derived from the common verb “to hear,” the noun consistently refers to something heard about a person or event—news that travels and shapes perception. Depending on context, the nuance may be positive (renown, good reputation) or ominous (terrifying report).

Occurrences in Scripture

• Joshua 6:27
• Joshua 9:9
• Esther 9:4
• Jeremiah 6:24

Joshua Cycle: Renown and Fear

Joshua 6:27 opens the conquest narrative’s aftermath: “So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.” The same word appears again in Joshua 9:9 on the lips of the Gibeonites: “Because of the fame of the LORD your God; for we have heard the report of Him and all that He did in Egypt.” In both verses שֹׁמַע testifies that Israel’s victories, attributed to divine intervention, produced widespread acknowledgment of the LORD’s supremacy. The nations’ reaction—whether capitulation (Gibeon) or resistance—fulfills Deuteronomy 2:25 and underscores covenant promises that God would magnify His name through His people.

Post-Exilic Echo: Esther 9:4

Centuries later, in the Persian court, “Mordecai was great in the king’s palace, and his fame spread throughout the provinces, as he became more and more powerful.” The singular Hebrew term links the earlier conquest motif with Israel’s preservation in exile. Mordecai’s rising reputation confirms that even outside the land, the LORD can elevate His servants, safeguarding the lineage through which messianic purposes advance.

Prophetic Imagery: Jeremiah 6:24

Jeremiah’s audience hears a different kind of report: “We have heard the reports of them, and our hands are weak; anguish has gripped us, pain like that of a woman in labor.” Here שֹׁמַע is the rumor of impending Babylonian invasion, inspiring dread rather than admiration. The shift from celebrated fame to terrifying news illustrates the moral equation embedded in covenant theology: obedience brings renown; rebellion invites alarming reports of judgment.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Reputation: Whether through conquest, mercy, or judgment, God ensures His works are publicized so that all nations may know He is LORD.
2. Human Instrumentality: Joshua and Mordecai become conduits of God’s renown; their personal fame is inseparable from divine action.
3. The Fear of the LORD: Positive fame evokes reverent submission (Joshua 9:9); negative rumor elicits terror (Jeremiah 6:24). Both outcomes serve redemptive purposes by confronting people with God’s reality.
4. Covenant Consistency: The same term bridges Torah promises, historical narrative, wisdom about reputation (Proverbs 3:4; though a different Hebrew word), and prophetic warnings, affirming Scripture’s unified message.

Ministry Implications

• Proclamation: Like Israel’s early victories, Christ’s resurrection constitutes a report to be circulated (Matthew 28:7). Gospel preaching carries the modern equivalent of שֹׁמַע.
• Character and Witness: Personal integrity, as with Mordecai, provides credibility to the message. Churches should cultivate reputations that point beyond themselves to God’s power and grace (Acts 2:47).
• Sobriety in Warning: Jeremiah shows that ignoring God’s voice results in distressing rumors. Faithful ministry includes announcing both salvation and judgment (2 Corinthians 5:11).

Christological Connections

Jesus’ ministry generated widespread reports (Matthew 4:24), fulfilling the principle that divine acts create audible testimony. His fame drew multitudes, yet His crucifixion became the “report” many refused to believe (Isaiah 53:1; John 12:38). In Him, the cycle of renown, rejection, and ultimate vindication reaches its climax, and believers now bear that report “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Practical Application for the Church

Pray that God’s work among His people yields a reputation characterized by holiness and compassion, not scandal (1 Peter 2:12). Guard against mere human celebrity; let any increase in “fame” redirect glory to Christ alone. Prepare congregations both to spread good news and to stand firm when alarming rumors test faith (Matthew 24:6).

וְשָׁמְע֖וֹ ושמעו שָׁמְע֔וֹ שָׁמְע֖וֹ שמעו šā·mə·‘ōw šāmə‘ōw shameO veshameO wə·šā·mə·‘ōw wəšāmə‘ōwInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts