"And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Shem."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Shem Meaning in the Bible
Shem
boy
Shem means "Name; Fame; Renown", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Shem appears in the King James Bible, and Genesis 9:26 is the passage most often tied to it. Shem carries the weight of divine election — chosen to bear the lineage through which the Savior of the world would come.
Is Shem in the Bible?
Yes — Shem appears in the King James Bible, including Genesis 9:26.
Pronunciation:/SHEM/
OriginHebrew
MeaningName; Fame; Renown
What does Shem mean?
Shem is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Name; Fame; Renown". 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.
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What does Shem mean in the Bible?
Shem means "Name; Fame; Renown" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Where does Shem appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Shem is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Genesis 9:26. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem."
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Which books of the Bible mention Shem?
Shem is mentioned across 3 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Shem?
Shem carries the weight of divine election — chosen to bear the lineage through which the Savior of the world would come.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Shem:
Related Reading
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Word Meaning
Name (שֵׁם (shem))
Identity, character, and reputation — who someone truly is.
Strong's
Strong's H8034 — Name
שֵׁם (shem) • Identity, character, and reputation — who someone truly is.
Word Meaning
Oil (שֶׁמֶן (shemen))
Pressed olive oil — symbolizing the Holy Spirit, consecration, healing, and joy.
Strong's
Strong's H8081 — Oil
שֶׁמֶן (shemen) • Pressed olive oil — symbolizing the Holy Spirit, consecration, healing, and joy.
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What names are related to Shem?
Names like Shem
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Name; Fame; Renown" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Shem
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Shem
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Shem name meaning: frequently asked questions
Common questions about the name Shem
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Shem?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Shem?
You can read every verse where Shem appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.