Hebrew Word Study

The meaning of שָׁמַע

Understanding shâmaʻ reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.

Definition

[idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declar...

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H8085
Hebrew Text
Strong's Concordance

שָׁמַע

Phoneticshaw-mah'
Transliterationshâmaʻ
Grammar Code
H:V
Hebrew Verb
Strong's Definition
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

[idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc. - causatively, to tell, etc.) v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound

Scripture References

Occurrences in the Bible

1070 total references
ReferenceText
Genesis 27:43

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

Word: שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ)
Ruth 2:8

Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:

Word: שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ)
Ezra 4:1

Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel;

Word: שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ)
Song of Solomon 2:14

O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.

Word: שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ)
Joel 1:2

Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?

Word: שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ)

Theological Word Study: Obey

Old Testament Usage

שָׁמַעShama

Meaning: To hear, listen, obey

The Hebrew shama (שָׁמַע) means to hear—but hearing in Hebrew implies obedience. The Shema ('Hear, O Israel') calls for both hearing and obeying: 'to obey is better than sacrifice' (1 Samuel 15:22).

New Testament Usage

ὑπακούωHupakouo

Meaning: To obey, listen to

The Greek hupakouo (ὑπακούω) means to listen under—obedient submission. Faith produces obedience: Paul speaks of 'the obedience of faith' (Romans 1:5), and Jesus 'learned obedience by the things which he suffered' (Hebrews 5:8).

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