Bible Name Meaning Tool

Enter a name to see what it means in Scripture, the language it comes from, and the King James Version verses where it appears. 1,332 names searchable, free and without signup.

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Shem

Pronounced SHEM

boy

✓ In the King James Bible — Yes — Shem appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 9:26.

Meaning: "Name; Fame; Renown"
Origin: Hebrew

Shem was Noah's firstborn son and the ancestor of the Semitic peoples, including Abraham and ultimately Jesus Christ. God chose Shem's line to carry the messianic promise — from the ark to the manger, God's plan unfolded through Shem's descendants.

Spiritual meaning

Shem carries the weight of divine election — chosen to bear the lineage through which the Savior of the world would come.

Related verses (KJV)

"And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem."
Genesis 9:26 (KJV) →
"Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem."
Luke 3:36 (KJV) →

Full page for Shem

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Questions about biblical name meanings

How do I find the biblical meaning of a name?

Type the name into the search box above. The tool returns the Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, or Latin root behind the name, its literal meaning, and the King James Version passages where it appears.

Does every name have a biblical meaning?

No. Many modern Christian names never appear in Scripture, and some popular 'biblical meanings' circulating online are inaccurate. Where a name is thematic rather than scriptural, we say so plainly instead of inventing a verse for it.

Which Bible translation do the verses come from?

The King James Version. It is public domain in the United States, so the text can be quoted and shared freely.

How can I tell whether a name is actually in the Bible?

Each result distinguishes a name that appears in the KJV from a later Christian or thematic name. Related verses explain a theme; they are not presented as proof that a modern name occurs in Scripture.

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