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שִׁמְשׁוֹן

𐤔𐤌𐤔𐤅𐤍

Shimeshon

H8123 noun

SILEX Entry

Root שׁמשׁ to serve, sun

Definition

Proper name designating an individual from the tribe of Dan, specifically the figure known as Shimshon, a judge in Israelite tradition. The name is likely derived from the noun for 'sun,' with a theophoric or descriptive nuance, perhaps indicating 'like the sun' or 'of the sun.' It does not function as a common noun or appellative, but as a personal name.

Semantic Range

proper name, personal name derived from 'sun'; no common noun function; used exclusively for the judge called Shimshon (Samson) in Judges

Root / Etymology

Derived from the noun שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, 'sun'), with the addition of a diminutive or attributive ending. The root שׁמשׁ denotes 'to serve' or 'sun.' The exact significance of the -וֹן (-on) suffix is debated, but may be augmentative, diminutive, or descriptive in nature. Thus, שִׁמְשׁוֹן is best understood as 'sunlike' or 'of the sun.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

שִׁמְשׁוֹן (Shimshon) appears exclusively as a proper name in the Hebrew Bible, referring specifically to a judge of the Israelite period who is the central figure in Judges 13–16. The association with the sun has led some scholars to suggest connections to solar motifs in ancient Near Eastern literature, though the Hebrew narrative presents Shimshon as a Nazirite with extraordinary strength, not as a solar deity or personification. The name does not indicate geographic or religious identity beyond what is provided in the Judges account—namely, that Shimshon is of Danite descent. English translations traditionally render the name as 'Samson,' following Greek and Latin traditions; this form, however, postdates the original usage and reflects translation and pronunciation conventions of later periods. The -וֹן ending is paralleled in other Hebrew personal names, often with descriptive or augmentative sense (%28e.g. Gideon, Absalom%29). Use of the term 'Jew' for Shimshon is anachronistic; he should be referred to as an Israelite or Danite in biblical context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from שֶׁמֶשׁ; sunlight; Shimshon, an Israelite; Samson.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

שׁמשׁ (š-m-š) — sun, serve

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H8123-02 שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן shimeshon HNp Samson Sunlike One 35
H8123-01 לְ/שִׁמְשׁ֗וֹן leshimeshon HR/Np for Samson to Shimshon 3

Occurrences in Scripture

38 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H8123-02 Judges 13:24 שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן shimeshon HNp Samson Sunlike One
H8123-02 Judges 14:1 שִׁמְשׁ֖וֹן shimeshon HNp Samson Sunlike One
H8123-02 Judges 14:3 שִׁמְשׁ֤וֹן shimeshon HNp Samson Sunlike One
H8123-02 Judges 14:5 שִׁמְשׁ֛וֹן shimeshon HNp Samson Sunlike One
H8123-02 Judges 14:7 שִׁמְשֽׁוֹן shimeshon HNp Samson Sunlike One
H8123-02 Judges 14:10 שִׁמְשׁוֹן֙ shimeshon HNp Samson Sunlike One
H8123-02 Judges 14:12 שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן shimeshon HNp Samson Sunlike One
H8123-02 Judges 14:15 שִׁמְשׁוֹן֙ shimeshon HNp Samson Sunlike One
H8123-02 Judges 14:16 שִׁמְשׁ֜וֹן shimeshon HNp Samson Sunlike One
H8123-02 Judges 14:20 שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן shimeshon HNp Samson Sunlike One
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