שְׁעַרְיָה
𐤔𐤏𐤓𐤉𐤄
Sheareyah
H8187 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Shearyah (Shᵉʻaryâh) is a personal name meaning 'Yahweh has opened' or 'Yahweh is gate/portal.' In biblical context, it refers specifically to an Israelite individual named as a son of Azel in genealogical records. The name combines a noun related to 'gate' or the verb 'to open,' with a theophoric suffix referencing Yahweh. Though used as a proper name, its components signal ideas of divine access or intervention.
Semantic Range
personal name; (literally in formation:) Yahweh has opened, Yahweh is gate; (by use:) Israelite proper name, one who is under divine opening or protection
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root שׁ־ע־ר (שָׁעַר, 'to open, gate') and the theophoric suffix יָהּ ('Yah', a short form of the name of Israel's God, Yahweh). The original verbal sense is 'to open,' but the noun means 'gate.' The name forms a construct or short phrase: 'Yahweh has opened' or 'gate of Yahweh.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
Shearyah appears in 1 Chronicles 8:38 and 9:44 as one of the sons of Azel in the genealogical lists for the tribe of Benjamin. The name is constructed similarly to other Israelite theophoric names, combining a root associated with access, passage, or opening (שׁער) with the divine name (יהּ), signifying a relationship of divine initiative or protection. English traditions often reflect the form 'Sheariah.' Older translations sometimes translate the name as 'Jah has stormed,' which reflects a misreading of the Hebrew elements; there is no root meaning 'to storm' associated with שׁער. The name is typical of late monarchic and post-exilic Israelite personal naming conventions, expressing trust in or recognition of Yahweh's agency. It should not be confused with the later English ethnoreligious use of 'Jew' or anachronistically read as a reference to post-exilic Judean religious identity. There is no evidence the name refers to a historical office or priestly function; usage is strictly as a genealogical reference.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from שָׁעַר and יָהּ; Jah has stormed; Shearjah, an Israelite; Sheariah.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
שׁער (sh-ʿ-r) — to open, to gate, to provide access, gate
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H7778 | שׁוֹעֵר | the gate-guard |
| H8179 | שַׁעַר | in the gate |
| H8180 | שַׁעַר | reckoned measures |
| H8182 | שֹׁעָר | the detestable ones |
| H8186 | שַׁעֲרוּרָה | appalling outrage |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8187-01 |
וּ/שְׁעַרְיָ֔ה | usheareyah | HC/Np |
and Sheariah | and Yahweh-has-opened | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H8187-01 |
1 Chronicles 8:38 | וּ/שְׁעַרְיָ֔ה | usheareyah | HC/Np |
and Sheariah | and Yahweh-has-opened |
H8187-01 |
1 Chronicles 9:44 | וּ/שְׁעַרְיָ֔ה | usheareyah | HC/Np |
and Sheariah | and Yahweh-has-opened |