Who Was Shemaiah?

The name Shemaiah, meaning “the Lord has heard,” is one of the most prolific and significant names in the Old Testament. It identifies men who served as prophets, priests, Levites, and royal officials across centuries of Israelite history. Because the name reflects a core theological truth—that Jehovah is a God who attends to the cries and petitions of His people—it was a designation of high honor. Those who bore this name were frequently found at the very center of the nation’s spiritual and administrative life, acting as mouthpieces for the Lord, guardians of the temple, or advisors to the kings.

To map the scriptural footprint of this name, we examine the twenty-five individuals who carried it into the historical record, ensuring each is documented according to the evidence provided in the Word of God.

Every Individual Named Shemaiah

1. Shemaiah the Prophet of the Divided Kingdom: A man of God who delivered the Lord’s command to Rehoboam and the house of Judah, forbidding them to fight against their brothers in the ten tribes of Israel following the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12:22; 2 Chronicles 11:2).
2. Shemaiah the Son of Shecaniah: A descendant of the royal house of David who returned from the Babylonian captivity and participated in the reconstruction of Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 3:22).
3. Shemaiah the Reubenite: A head of a father’s house among the Reubenites, mentioned in the genealogical records that tracked the tribal lineages (1 Chronicles 5:4).
4. Shemaiah the Levite of the Kohathites: A descendant of Elkanah who settled in Jerusalem after the return from exile, serving the interests of the temple (1 Chronicles 9:16).
5. Shemaiah the Son of Hasshub: A Merarite Levite who was among the first to dwell in Jerusalem following the restoration, helping to stabilize the city’s holy functions (1 Chronicles 9:14; Nehemiah 11:15).
6. Shemaiah the Levite Musician: A son of Galal who served in the temple during the period of restoration (1 Chronicles 9:16).
7. Shemaiah the Son of Elizaphan: A leader of the Kohathites appointed by King David to assist in the transport of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:8).
8. Shemaiah the Levite Scribe: A son of Nethaneel who acted as a secretary for the Levites during the organization of the temple service under King David (1 Chronicles 24:6).
9. Shemaiah the Firstborn of Obed-edom: A son of the loyal Gittite who was entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the gates of the sanctuary (1 Chronicles 26:4).
10. Shemaiah the Son of Shemaiah: A descendant of Obed-edom who also served as a temple gatekeeper, illustrating the generational commitment of that house (1 Chronicles 26:7).
11. Shemaiah the Levite Teacher: A teacher sent by King Jehoshaphat to instruct the people of Judah in the Book of the Law of the Lord (2 Chronicles 17:8).
12. Shemaiah the Levite of the Kohathites: A descendant of Jeduthun who assisted in the cleansing of the temple during the reforms of King Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:14).
13. Shemaiah the Overseer: A Levite appointed by King Hezekiah to distribute the tithes and dedicated offerings to his brethren in the Levitical cities (2 Chronicles 31:15).
14. Shemaiah the Levite Chief: A leader who contributed generously to the Passover sacrifice instituted by King Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:9).
15. Shemaiah the Leader of the Exiles: A descendant of Adonikam who returned with Ezra from Babylon (Ezra 8:13).
16. Shemaiah the Levite Minister: One of the leading men sent by Ezra to Iddo to seek ministers for the house of the Lord (Ezra 8:16).
17. Shemaiah the Priest: One of the priests who had taken a foreign wife during the era of national compromise, and who repented under the ministry of Ezra (Ezra 10:21).
18. Shemaiah the Israelite: A man of the sons of Harim who also repented of taking a foreign wife (Ezra 10:31).
19. Shemaiah the Wall Builder: A son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, who repaired a portion of the wall under Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:29).
20. Shemaiah the False Prophet: An opponent of Nehemiah who was hired by Tobiah and Sanballat to intimidate Nehemiah into hiding in the temple, hoping to discredit his leadership (Nehemiah 6:10).
21. Shemaiah the Priest of the Covenant: One of the priests who sealed the covenant of reformation along with Nehemiah (Nehemiah 10:8).
22. Shemaiah the Leader in the Procession: A priest who participated in the joyous dedication of the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 12:34).
23. Shemaiah the Musician of the Dedication: A Levite who took part in the musical celebration for the completion of the city walls (Nehemiah 12:35).
24. Shemaiah the Priest Musician: A priest who served in the musical worship during the wall dedication (Nehemiah 12:42).
25. Shemaiah the Father of Urijah: The father of the prophet Urijah, who prophesied against Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 26:20).

From the corridors of royal counsel to the front lines of the wall-builders, and from the temple gates to the prophetic platform, the name Shemaiah is a constant witness to those who were called to hear the word of the Lord and act upon it. They are the record of a nation that, even in its decline, produced men who stood in the gap.