שְׁמַשׁ
𐤔𐤌𐤔
shᵉmash
H8120 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To serve in an official or professional capacity; to minister, attend, or carry out designated duties, especially in administrative, religious, or ceremonial contexts. In Biblical Aramaic, refers primarily to carrying out service for a superior, especially in a royal or temple environment. The term is used of functioning as an attendant, assistant, or minister in both secular (courtly, official) and religious settings.
Semantic Range
to serve (in an attendant or official capacity), to minister (in a religious or ceremonial sense), to perform courtly duties, to function as a subordinate, to assist or wait upon
Root / Etymology
Root: שׁ-מ-שׁ (שׁמש). Derived from the root meaning 'to serve, minister, act as an attendant.' Closely related to the Hebrew שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, 'sun') from the same triconsonantal root, but with distinct semantic development: in Aramaic, the verb שְׁמַשׁ moves from the notion of activity or functioning (as the sun 'serves' by shining) toward the human role of service or officiation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
שְׁמַשׁ is a verb form occurring in Biblical Aramaic, notably in Daniel 7:10, where it describes a multitude 'serving' or 'standing before' a royal or divine figure, reflecting the Aramaic linguistic environment of later biblical texts (exilic and early post-exilic periods). The use of שְׁמַשׁ in Aramaic is parallel to the Hebrew verb שֵׁמֵשׁ, but the former appears only in Aramaic sections (e.g., Daniel, Ezra). The concept of service here encompasses both courtly service before kings and priestly or cultic service. In later Jewish tradition, שַׁמָּשׁ (shammash, from the same root) became a term for synagogue attendants, illustrating the transition of the root's connotation into religious office. English translations vary: 'minister,' 'serve,' 'attend,' or 'stand before,' but these may not always capture the sense of official capacity or ceremonial function inherent in many uses. Not to be confused with the noun שֶׁמֶשׁ ('sun'), despite the root connection.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to the root of שֶׁמֶשׁ through the idea of activity implied in day-light; to serve; minister.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שמש (š-m-š) — serve, attend, minister, officiate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1053 | בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ | sun |
| H8121 | שֶׁמֶשׁ | in the sun |
| H8124 | שִׁמְשַׁי | Shimshai |
| H8125 | שַׁמְשְׁרַי | Sun-like one |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8120-01 |
יְשַׁמְּשׁוּנֵּ֔/הּ | yeshameshuneh | AVpi3mp/Sp3ms |
were serving him | they will minister to him | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8120-01 |
Daniel 7:10 | יְשַׁמְּשׁוּנֵּ֔/הּ | yeshameshuneh | AVpi3mp/Sp3ms |
were serving him | they will minister to him |