← H8033 H8035 →

שֵׁם

𐤔𐤌

shêm

H8034 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שם to put, set, appoint, place, establish distinctive identity

Definition

A personal or proper name; designation used for identifying an individual, people, or place. Can also denote reputation, fame, status, or the general concept of identity. Depending on context, may refer to the name as spoken, the person bearing it, or the sense of one’s reputation or renown.

Semantic Range

name; designation; personal or proper name; reputation; fame; renown; memorial; marker; authority; status; person bearing the name

Root / Etymology

From root שׁום, שִׁים (to set, put, place, appoint); originally denoting the placing or establishing of a distinctive marker or designation for an individual or entity (i.e., a name). The noun שֵׁם develops from this idea, referring primarily to the verbal signifier (name) and metaphorically to the standing or reputation associated with it.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In early texts, שֵׁם refers concretely to the given name of a person, deity, or place—a designation that marks identity or belonging. Throughout the Hebrew Bible, it extends to signify reputation or fame (i.e., one's 'name' as equivalent to 'renown' or 'standing'), sometimes in positive or negative senses. The term is broad and can encompass fame, notoriety, honor, or infamy, depending on context. In some post-exilic and Second Temple uses, 'the Name' (הַשֵּׁם) may serve as a reverential circumlocution for the Israelite deity, though this development becomes more prominent in later periods. English translations often render שֵׁם simply as 'name,' but the nuances related to reputation and persona may not always be captured. Distinguished from words denoting literal fame (e.g. תְּהִלָּה), but overlapping in semantic field when used to denote reputation. The association with authority or memorial (i.e., 'making a name') situates שֵׁם among key terms expressing social status and identity in Israelite society.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

שם (š-m) — to set, place, appoint, establish identity

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H8033 שָׁם from there
H8035 שֵׁם Shem
H8047 שַׁמָּה to that place
H8048 שַׁמָּה to that place

Word Forms

54 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8034-23 שֵׁ֥ם shem HNcmsc name name-of 148
H8034-30 שְׁמֽ/וֹ shemo HNcmsc/Sp3ms his name his name 146
H8034-47 וְ/שֵֽׁם veshem HC/Ncmsc and name and name-of 99
H8034-01 בְּ/שֵׁ֥ם beshem HR/Ncmsc in the name in name of 58
H8034-29 שְׁמִ֔/י shemi HNcmsc/Sp1cs my name my name 55
H8034-31 שֵׁמ֗וֹת shemot HNcmpa names names 54
H8034-33 שִׁמְ/ךָ֖ shimekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your name your name 45
H8034-26 שְׁמֶ֑/ךָ shemekha HNcmsc/Sp2ms your name your name 35
H8034-14 לְ/שֵׁ֖ם leshem HR/Ncmsc for the name for a name 29
H8034-39 וּ/שְׁמ֣/וֹ ushemo HC/Ncmsc/Sp3ms and his name and his name 24

Occurrences in Scripture

864 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8034-23 Genesis 2:11 שֵׁ֥ם shem HNcmsc name name-of
H8034-47 Genesis 2:13 וְ/שֵֽׁם veshem HC/Ncmsc and the name and name-of
H8034-47 Genesis 2:14 וְ/שֵׁ֨ם veshem HC/Ncmsc and the name and name-of
H8034-30 Genesis 2:19 שְׁמֽ/וֹ shemo HNcmsc/Sp3ms its name his name
H8034-31 Genesis 2:20 שֵׁמ֗וֹת shemot HNcmpa names names
H8034-23 Genesis 3:20 שֵׁ֥ם shem HNcmsc name name-of
H8034-23 Genesis 4:17 שֵׁ֣ם shem HNcmsc the name name-of
H8034-11 Genesis 4:17 כְּ/שֵׁ֖ם keshem HR/Ncmsc as the name as name of
H8034-23 Genesis 4:19 שֵׁ֤ם shem HNcmsc the name name-of
H8034-47 Genesis 4:19 וְ/שֵׁ֥ם veshem HC/Ncmsc and the name and name-of
← H8033 Hebrew Lexicon H8035 →