Shimeath is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, appearing in the Old Testament as the mother of one of the assassins of King Joash of Judah. The name derives from the Hebrew word shemaʿ (שֵׁמַע), meaning "report," "news," or "fame." This root is closely related to the concept of hearing or being heard, as the Hebrew verb shama means "to hear." Shimeath is thus a name connoting one who is spoken of or renowned. In the biblical narrative, Shimeath is mentioned in 2 Kings 12:21 and 2 Chronicles 24:26 as the mother of Zabad (or Jozabad), a servant who conspired to kill King Joash. The assassination occurred after Joash had turned away from the worship of Yahweh and had ordered the killing of the prophet Zechariah. Shimeath's son, along with Jehozabad (son of Shomer), carried out the retributive act. Though Shimeath herself is not a central figure, her brief mention ties her to a pivotal moment in Judah's history. Linguistic and Cultural Context The name Shimeath is a Hebrew feminine form, likely equivalent to Shimʿat in Biblical Hebrew. Variants include Shim'at in modern transliterations. The meaning stems from the Semitic root š-m-ʿ, which is common to many Semitic languages and carries the sense of hearing or obedience. In an onomastic context, names built on this root often symbolize a person's renown or a divine hearing of prayers. Shimeath belongs to a small class of feminine names derived from abstract nouns rather than divine elements, contrasting with the more theophoric names popular in ancient Israel. Meaning: "Report, news, fame" Origin: Hebrew (Biblical) Scriptural reference: 2 Kings 12:21; 2 Chronicles 24:26 Related form: Shim'at (Biblical Hebrew) Usage region: Found in the Old Testament; used historically but rare in modern times