Bible Dictionaries
Shimei

Holman Bible Dictionary

(sshih meh' i) Personal name meaning, “my being heard.” 1. Grandson of Levi and head of Levitical family (Exodus 6:17; Numbers 3:18; compare 1 Chronicles 6:42 ). 2 . A Levite (1 Chronicles 23:9 if the text does not represent duplication in copying as some commentators suggest; compare 1 Chronicles 23:10 ). 3 . Relative of King Saul who cursed and opposed David as he fled from Absalom (2 Samuel 16:1 ). When David returned after Absalom's death, Shimei met him and pleaded for forgiveness and mercy, which David granted because of the festive occasion (2 Samuel 19:1 ). Solomon followed David's advice and had Shimei slain (1 Kings 2:1 ).

4. Court personality who refused to support Adonijah against Solomon (1 Kings 1:8 ). 5 . District supervisor in territory of Benjamin responsible for supplying Solomon's court one month each year (1 Kings 4:18 ); he could be identical with 4. above. 6. Ancestor of Mordecai, the cousin of Esther (Esther 2:5 ). 7 . Brother of Zerubbabel (1 Chronicles 3:19 ). 8 . Member of tribe of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:26 ). 9 . Member of tribe of Reuben (1 Chronicles 5:4 ). 10 . A Levite (1 Chronicles 6:29 ). 11 . A Benjaminite (1 Chronicles 8:21; apparently identical with Shema in 1 Chronicles 8:13 ). 12 . Temple musician under David (1 Chronicles 25:17; perhaps also in 1 Chronicles 25:3 with a Hebrew manuscript and some Greek manuscripts as in NRSV, REB, NAS, NIV, TEV). 13. Supervisor of David's vineyards ( 1 Chronicles 27:27 ). 14 . and 15. Two Levites under Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:14; 2 Chronicles 31:12-13 ). 16 . Levite married to a foreign woman under Ezra (Ezra 10:23 ). 17 . and 18. Two Jews married to foreign women under Ezra (Ezra 10:33 ,Ezra 10:33,10:38 ).