Shemida

Shemida is a clan-head in the tribe of Manasseh, ancestor of the Shemidaite family. His name appears in the wilderness census, in the Joshua allotment, and in the Chronicler's genealogy of Manasseh.

A Family of Manasseh

In the second wilderness census, the Manassite count includes Shemida among the named houses: "and [of] Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites; and [of] Hepher, the family of the Hepherites" (Nu 26:32). Each name produces a family-unit in the muster.

A Lot in the Inheritance

When the lots are cast for the western half of Manasseh, Shemida's house receives a portion alongside the other male clans of the tribe: "So [the lot] was for the rest of the sons of Manasseh according to their families: for the sons of Abiezer, and for the sons of Helek, and for the sons of Asriel, and for the sons of Shechem, and for the sons of Hepher, and for the sons of Shemida: these were the male sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph according to their families" (Jos 17:2). The list of six male houses is set against the daughters of Zelophehad, who receive their own portion in the next verses.

Sons in the Genealogy

The Chronicler names Shemida's four sons in the Manassite genealogy: "And the sons of Shemida were Ahian, and Shechem, and Likhi, and Aniam" (1Ch 7:19). The notice closes the Manassite line traced from Machir.