Lexical Summary
Shelumiel: Shelumiel
Original Word: שׁלֻמִיאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Shlumiy'el
Pronunciation: she-loo-mee-EL
Phonetic Spelling: (shel-oo-mee-ale')
KJV: Shelumiel
NASB: Shelumiel
Word Origin: [from H7965 (שָׁלוֹם שָׁלוֹם - peace) and H410 (אֵל - God)]
1. peace of God
2. Shelumiel, an Israelite
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Shelumiel
From shalowm and 'el; peace of God; Shelumiel, an Israelite -- Shelumiel.
see HEBREW shalowm
see HEBREW 'el
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
shalom and
elDefinition"peace of God," a Simeonite
NASB TranslationShelumiel (5).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Numbers 1:6;
Numbers 2:12;
Numbers 7:36,41;
Numbers 10:19; .
Topical Lexicon
Name and Theological Significance Shelumiel (“peace of God” or “repaid by God”) reflects the covenant expectation that true shalom comes only from the LORD. Though little is recorded beyond his official duties, the very preservation of his name in Scripture underlines the value God places on each tribe’s appointed leadership.
Genealogical Context
Shelumiel is repeatedly identified as “son of Zurishaddai” and “leader of the Simeonites” (Numbers 1:6; 2:12; 7:36; 10:19). By blood he belongs to Simeon, Jacob’s second-born by Leah (Genesis 29:33). By office he stands among twelve tribal chiefs who serve as representatives of the whole nation during Israel’s first year at Sinai.
Role in the Census at Sinai
When Moses and Aaron numbered Israel, each tribe offered a chief to assist (Numbers 1:4-5). Concerning Simeon, “from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai” (Numbers 1:6). Through his cooperation the tribe is counted at 59,300 fighting men (Numbers 1:23). The census highlights Shelumiel’s administrative reliability and the military preparedness of his tribe.
Placement in the Camp
The LORD arranged Israel’s tents around the Tabernacle by tribal banners. Simeon camped on the south side under the standard of Reuben, with Shelumiel acting as Simeon’s leader (Numbers 2:10-16). This placement illustrates both order and equality: every tribe, while distinct, encircled the divine Presence.
Offerings for the Dedication of the Altar
On the fifth day of the Tabernacle dedication, “Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the Simeonites, presented an offering” (Numbers 7:36). His gifts—identical in weight and content to those of the other tribes—testify to corporate generosity and to each tribe’s equal stake in the worship life of Israel (Numbers 7:41-47). Nothing is said of personal flair; uniformity underscores unity.
Leadership on the March
When the cloud lifted, Judah’s camp set out first, then Reuben’s host with Simeon following under Shelumiel’s command: “and over the division of the tribe of Simeon was Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai” (Numbers 10:19). The verse quietly affirms his military competence, helping maintain order for a people exceeding two million souls.
Spiritual Lessons
1. Representative Headship: God relates to His covenant people through recognized leaders. Shelumiel’s faithfulness demonstrates that seemingly administrative roles are sacred trusts.
2. Unity without Uniformity: Though Simeon was scattered in Jacob’s final prophecy (Genesis 49:7), here the tribe contributes equally beside the others. Grace overrules past failures.
3. Shared Worship Priority: Shelumiel’s altar gifts show that every tribe—strong or weak, large or small—must invest in the centrality of God’s presence.
4. Order in Pilgrimage: The precise camp and march order reveals the LORD as “not a God of disorder” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Shelumiel’s obedience helped keep the nation in step with the cloud.
Echoes in Later Tradition
Rabbinic writings remember Shelumiel chiefly for his altar gifts; Christian commentators have seen in his identical offering a pattern of impartiality fulfilled in the body of Christ, where “there is neither Jew nor Greek…but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11).
Summary
Shelumiel occupies only five verses, yet his repeated mention cements Simeon’s place in the covenant community. He embodies dutiful leadership, equal partnership in worship, and disciplined march behind the divine Presence—models still vital for God’s people today.
Forms and Transliterations
שְׁלֻֽמִיאֵ֖ל שְׁלֻמִיאֵ֖ל שלמיאל šə·lu·mî·’êl šəlumî’êl shelumiEl
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
