Shebna - tender youth, "treasurer" over the house in the reign of Hezekiah, i.e., comptroller or governor of the palace. On account of his pride he was ejected from his office, and Eliakim was promoted to it ( Isa. 22:15-25). He appears to have been the leader of the party who favoured an alliance with Egypt against Assyria. It is conjectured that "Shebna the scribe," who was one of those whom the king sent to confer with the Assyrian ambassador (2 Kings 18:18,2 Kings 18:26,2 Kings 18:37;2 Kings 19:2; Isa. 36:3, Isa. 36:11, Isa. 36:22; Isa 37:2), was a different person.

Shebuel - captive of God. (1.) One of the descendants of Gershom, who had charge of the temple treasures in the time of David (1 Chr. 23:16;1 Chr 26:24).

(2.) One of the sons of Heman; one of those whose duty it was to "lift up the horn" in the temple service (1 Chr. 25:4,1 Chr. 25:5); called also Shubael (ver. 20).

Shecaniah - one intimate with Jehovah. (1.) A priest to whom the tenth lot came forth when David divided the priests (1 Chr. 24:11).

(2.) One of the priests who were set "to give to their brethren by courses" of the daily portion (2 Chr. 31:15).

Shechani'ah, id. (1.) A priest whose sons are mentioned in 1 Chr. 3:21,1 Chr. 3:22.

(2.) Ezra 8:5.

(3.) Ezra 10:2-4.

(4.) The father of Shemaiah, who repaired the wall of Jerusalem ( Neh. 3:29).

(5.) The father-in-law of Tobiah ( Neh. 6:18).

(6.) A priest who returned from the Captivity with Zerubbabel ( Neh. 12:3; marg., or Shebaniah).

Shechem - shoulder. (1.) The son of Hamor the Hivite ( Gen. 33:19;Gen 34).

(2.) A descendant of Manasseh ( Num. 26:31; Josh. 17:2).

(3.) A city in Samaria ( Gen. 33:18), called also Sichem ( Gen 12:6), Sychem ( Acts 7:16). It stood in the narrow sheltered valley between Ebal on the north and Gerizim on the south, these mountains at their base being only some 500 yards apart. Here Abraham pitched his tent and built his first altar in the Promised Land, and received the first divine promise ( Gen. 12:6,Gen. 12:7). Here also Jacob "bought a parcel of a field at the hands of the children of Hamor" after his return from Mesopotamia, and settled with his household, which he purged from idolatry by burying the teraphim of his followers under an oak tree, which was afterwards called "the oak of the sorcerer" ( Gen. 33:19;Gen 35:4; Judg. 9:37). (See MEONENIM.) Here too, after a while, he dug a well, which bears his name to this day ( John 4:5,John 4:39-42). To Shechem Joshua gathered all Israel "before God," and delivered to them his second parting address ( Josh. 24:1-15). He "made a covenant with the people that day" at the very place where, on first entering the land, they had responded to the law from Ebal and Gerizim ( Josh. 24:25), the terms of which were recorded "in the book of the law of God", i.e., in the roll of the law of Moses; and in memory of this solemn transaction a great stone was set up "under an oak" (comp. Gen. 28:18; Gen 31:44-48; Ex. 24:4; Josh. 4:3, Josh. 4:8, Josh. 4:9), possibly the old "oak of Moreh," as a silent witness of the transaction to all coming time.

Shechem became one of the cities of refuge, the central city of refuge for Western Palestine ( Josh. 20:7), and here the bones of Joseph were buried ( Josh 24:32). Rehoboam was appointed king in Shechem (1 Kings 12:1,1 Kings 12:19), but Jeroboam afterwards took up his residence here. This city is mentioned in connection with our Lord's conversation with the woman of Samaria ( John 4:5); and thus, remaining as it does to the present day, it is one of the oldest cities of the world. It is the modern Nablus, a contraction for Neapolis, the name given to it by Vespasian. It lies about a mile and a half up the valley on its southern slope, and on the north of Gerizim, which rises about 1,100 feet above it, and is about 34 miles north of Jerusalem. It contains about 10,000 inhabitants, of whom about 160 are Samaritans and 100 Jews, the rest being Christians and Mohammedans.

The site of Shechem is said to be of unrivalled beauty. Stanley says it is "the most beautiful, perhaps the only very beautiful, spot in Central Palestine."

Gaza, near Shechem, only mentioned 1 Chr. 7:28, has entirely disappeared. It was destroyed at the time of the Conquest, and its place was taken by Shechem. (See SYCHAR.)

Shechinah - a Chaldee word meaning resting-place, not found in Scripture, but used by the later Jews to designate the visible symbol of God's presence in the tabernacle, and afterwards in Solomon's temple. When the Lord led Israel out of Egypt, he went before them "in a pillar of a cloud." This was the symbol of his presence with his people. For references made to it during the wilderness wanderings, see Ex. 14:20; Ex 40:34-38; Lev. 9:23, Lev. 9:24; Num. 14:10; Num 16:19, Num. 14:42.

It is probable that after the entrance into Canaan this glory-cloud settled in the tabernacle upon the ark of the covenant in the most holy place. We have, however, no special reference to it till the consecration of the temple by Solomon, when it filled the whole house with its glory, so that the priests could not stand to minister (1 Kings 8:10-13; 2 Chr. 5:13,2 Chr. 5:14;2 Chr 7:1-3). Probably it remained in the first temple in the holy of holies as the symbol of Jehovah's presence so long as that temple stood. It afterwards disappeared. (See CLOUD.)

Sheep - are of different varieties. Probably the flocks of Abraham and Isaac were of the wild species found still in the mountain regions of Persia and Kurdistan. After the Exodus, and as a result of intercourse with surrounding nations, other species were no doubt introduced into the herds of the people of Israel. They are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The care of a shepherd over his flock is referred to as illustrating God's care over his people ( Ps. 23:1,Ps. 23:2;Ps 74:1;Ps 77:20; Isa. 40:11; Isa 53:6; John 10:1-5, John 10:7-16).

"The sheep of Palestine are longer in the head than ours, and have tails from 5 inches broad at the narrowest part to 15 inches at the widest, the weight being in proportion, and ranging generally from 10 to 14 lbs., but sometimes extending to 30 lbs. The tails are indeed huge masses of fat" (Geikie's Holy Land, etc.). The tail was no doubt the "rump" so frequently referred to in the Levitical sacrifices ( Ex. 29:22; Lev. 3:9; Lev 7:3; Lev 9:19). Sheep-shearing was generally an occasion of great festivity ( Gen. 31:19;Gen 38:12,Gen. 31:13; 1 Sam. 25:4-8,1 Sam. 25:36; 2 Sam. 13:23-28).

Sheep-fold - a strong fenced enclosure for the protection of the sheep gathered within it ( Num. 32:24; 1 Chr. 17:7; Ps. 50:9; Ps 78:70). In John 10:16 the Authorized Version renders by "fold" two distinct Greek words, aule and poimne, the latter of which properly means a "flock," and is so rendered in the Revised Version. (See also Matt. 26:31; Luke 2:8; 1 Cor. 9:7.) (See FOLD.)

Sheep-gate - one of the gates of Jerusalem mentioned by Nehemiah 1 Cor 3:1,1 Cor 3:32;1 Cor 12:39). It was in the eastern wall of the city.

Sheep-market - occurs only in John 5:2 (marg., also R.V., "sheep-gate"). The word so rendered is an adjective, and it is uncertain whether the noun to be supplied should be "gate" or, following the Vulgate Version, "pool."

Shekel - weight, the common standard both of weight and value among the Hebrews. It is estimated at 220 English grains, or a little more than half an ounce avoirdupois. The "shekel of the sanctuary" ( Ex. 30:13; Num. 3:47) was equal to twenty gerahs ( Ezek. 45:12). There were shekels of gold (1 Chr. 21:25), of silver (1 Sam. 9:8), of brass 1 Sam 17:5), and of iron (7). When it became a coined piece of money, the shekel of gold was equivalent to about 2 pound of our money. Six gold shekels, according to the later Jewish system, were equal in value to fifty silver ones.

The temple contribution, with which the public sacrifices were bought ( Ex. 30:13; 2 Chr. 24:6), consisted of one common shekel, or a sanctuary half-shekel, equal to two Attic drachmas. The coin, a stater (q.v.), which Peter found in the fish's mouth paid this contribution for both him and Christ ( Matt. 17:24,Matt. 17:27). A zuza, or quarter of a shekel, was given by Saul to Samuel (1 Sam. 9:8).

Shelah - petition. (1.) Judah's third son ( Gen. 38:2,Gen. 38:5,Gen. 38:11,Gen. 38:14).

(2.) A son of Arphaxad (1 Chr. 1:18).

Shelemiah - whom Jehovah repays. (1.) Ezra 10:39.

(2.) The father of Hananiah ( Neh. 3:30).

(3.) A priest in the time of Nehemiah ( Neh 13:13).

(4.) Father of one of those who accused Jeremiah to Zedekiah ( Jer. 37:3;Jer 38:1).

(5.) Father of a captain of the ward ( Jer. 37:13).

(6.) Jer. 36:14.

Shem - a name; renown, the first mentioned of the sons of Noah ( Gen. 5:32;Gen 6:10). He was probably the eldest of Noah's sons. The words "brother of Japheth the elder" in Gen. 10:21 are more correctly rendered "the elder brother of Japheth," as in the Revised Version. Shem's name is generally mentioned first in the list of Noah's sons. He and his wife were saved in the ark Gen 7:13). Noah foretold his preeminence over Canaan Gen 9:23-27). He died at the age of six hundred years, having been for many years contemporary with Abraham, according to the usual chronology. The Israelitish nation sprang from him ( Gen. 11:10-26; 1 Chr. 1:24-27).

Shema - rumour. (1.) A Reubenite (1 Chr. 5:8).

(2.) A Benjamite (1 Chr. 8:13).

(3.) One who stood by Ezra when he read the law ( Neh. 8:4).

(4.) A town in the south of Judah ( Josh. 15:26); the same as Sheba (ver. 5).

Shemaah - rumour, a Benjamite whose sons "came to David to Ziklag" (1 Chr. 12:3).

Shemaiah - whom Jehovah heard. (1.) A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:22-24).

(2.) Neh. 3:29.

(3.) A Simeonite (1 Chr. 4:37).

(4.) A priest ( Neh. 12:42).

(5.) A Levite (1 Chr. 9:16).

(6.) 1 Chr. 9:14; Neh. 11:15.

(7.) A Levite in the time of David, who with 200 of his brethren took part in the bringing up of the ark from Obed-edom to Hebron (1 Chr. 15:8).

(8.) A Levite (1 Chr. 24:6).

(9.) The eldest son of Obed-edom (1 Chr. 26:4-8).

(10.) A Levite (2 Chr. 29:14).

(11.) A false prophet who hindered the rebuilding of Jerusalem ( Neh. 6:10).

(12.) A prince of Judah who assisted at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem ( Neh. 12:34-36).

(13.) A false prophet who opposed Jeremiah ( Jer. 29:24-32).

(14.) One of the Levites whom Jehoshaphat appointed to teach the law (2 Chr. 17:8).

(15.) A Levite appointed to "distribute the oblations of the Lord" (2 Chr. 31:15).

(16.) A Levite (2 Chr. 35:9).

(17.) The father of Urijah the prophet ( Jer. 26:20).

(18.) The father of a prince in the reign of Jehoiakim ( Jer. 36:12).

Shemariah - whom Jehovah guards. (1.) One who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:5).

(2.) Ezra 10:32, Ezra 10:41.

Shemeber - soaring on high, the king of Zeboiim, who joined with the other kings in casting off the yoke of Chedorlaomer. After having been reconquered by him, he was rescued by Abraham ( Gen. 14:2).

Sheminith - eight; octave, a musical term, supposed to denote the lowest note sung by men's voices (1 Chr. 15:21; Ps. 6; 12, title).

Shemiramoth - most high name. (1.) A Levite in the reign of Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 17:8).

(2.) A Levite in David's time (1 Chr. 15:18,1 Chr. 15:20).

Shemuel - heard of God. (1.) The son of Ammihud. He represented Simeon in the division of the land ( Num. 34:20).

(2.) Used for "Samuel" (1 Chr. 6:33, R.V.).

(3.) A prince of the tribe of Issachar (1 Chr. 7:2).

Shen - a tooth, probably some conspicuous tooth-shaped rock or crag (1 Sam. 7:12), a place between which and Mizpeh Samuel set up his "Ebenezer." In the Hebrew the word has the article prefixed, "the Shen." The site is unknown.

Shenir - =Senir, ( Deut. 3:9; Cant. 4:8), the name given to Mount Hermon (q.v.) by the Sidonians.

Sheol - (Heb., "the all-demanding world" = Gr. Hades, "the unknown region"), the invisible world of departed souls. (See HELL.)