David's scribe, also known as Shavsha, Sheva, Sheya, or Shisha
Seraiah
Named in 4 verses across 3 books, first in 2 Samuel 8:17.
שְׂרָיָהוּSeraiah
שַׁוְשָׁאShavsha
שְׁוָאSheva
שְׁיָאSheya
שִׁישָׁאShisha
Also called Shavsha, Sheva, Sheya, Shisha.
The name means “prince of the Lord.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Seraiah Written by AI
Seraiah, mentioned in 2 Samuel 8:17 and 1 Chronicles 18:16, was a scribe who served during the reign of King David. He is also referred to as Shavsha (1 Chronicles 18:16), Sheva (2 Samuel 20:25), Sheya (2 Samuel 20:25 in some translations), or Shisha (1 Kings 4:3). As a scribe, Seraiah's primary responsibility would have been to record important documents, decrees, and correspondence for the king. He held a position of trust and significance within David's administration. The variations in his name across different passages may be due to differences in spelling or pronunciation over time.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Seraiah, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
Soldier of Jehovah. (1.) The father of Joab (1 Chr. 4:13, 14).
(2.) The grandfather of Jehu (1 Chr. 4:35).
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(3.) One of David’s scribes or secretaries (2 Sam. 8:17).
(4.) A Netophathite (Jer. 40:8), a chief priest of the time of Zedekiah. He was carried captive by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon, and there put to death (2 Kings 25:18, 23).
(5.) Ezra 2:2.
(6.) Father of Ezra the scribe (7:1).
(7.) A ruler of the temple (Neh. 11:11).
(8.) A priest of the days of Jehoiakim (Neh. 12:1, 12).
(9.) The son of Neriah. When Zedekiah made a journey to Babylon to do homage to Nebuchadnezzar, Seraiah had charge of the royal gifts to be presented on that occasion. Jeremiah took advantage of the occasion, and sent with Seraiah a word of cheer to the exiles in Babylon, and an announcement of the doom in store for that guilty city. The roll containing this message (Jer. 50:1-8) Seraiah was to read to the exiles, and then, after fixing a stone to it, was to throw it into the Euphrates, uttering, as it sank, the prayer recorded in Jer. 51:59-64. Babylon was at this time in the height of its glory, the greatest and most powerful monarchy in the world. Scarcely seventy years elapsed when the words of the prophet were all fulfilled. Jer. 51:59 is rendered in the Revised Version, “Now Seraiah was chief chamberlain,” instead of “was a quiet prince,” as in the Authorized Version.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- 2 Samuel 8:17
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe;
- 2 Samuel 20:25
Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;
- 1 Kings 4:3
Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;
- 1 Chronicles 18:16
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe;
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.