Women of the Bible Series Blog # 2 of 7: Shelomith : CHANNETTA WILLIAMS

Sharing is Caring

Yesterday, we studied the Daughters of Zelophehad in blog # 1 of 7 in the series “Women of the Bible”. We examined how they possessed the positive characteristics of courage, humility, and faith.

This is blog # 2 of 7

Today, we will study:

Shelomith

Name Pronunciation: Shih-LOE-mith

Name Meaning: Peaceful

Who Was She? An Israelite woman of the tribe of Dan whose son was involved in a fight with an Israelite man and was stoned to death for blaspheming God.

Biblical Background

After God gave the Israelites His law, a fight broke out in the camp.

Biblical Text

Leviticus 24:10 – 23

Key Facts

Shelomith was an Israelite woman who married an Egyptian man

Her son fought an Israelite man, blasphemed the name of the Lord, and cursed

Her son was brought to Moses, the leader of the people, put in jail (custody) while the people inquired of the Lord how to handle the situation. The Lord spoke to Moses and commanded, “Take outside the camp him who has cursed; then let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. Then you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. And whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him, the stranger as well as him who is born in the land. When he blasphemes the name of the Lord, he shall be put to death.” Leviticus 24:13 – 16

Moses obeyed the Lord, “Then Moses spoke to the children of Israel; and they took outside the camp him who had cursed, and stoned him with stones. So the children of Israel did as the Lord commanded Moses.” Leviticus 10:23

God commanded death by stoning for blasphemy. He had delivered the Israelites from bondage in Egypt and bound Himself to them in a covenant. Blasphemy was rebellion against God

Strengths

Shelomith’s name means peace. We can assume she was a peaceful woman.

Lessons From Her Life

God commands parents to teach their children His laws; children choose whether to obey or disobey God, they will receive God’s blessing or punishment based on their choice
Each person bears his/her own sin
Parents can raise their children up in the Lord; their children can choose to rebel against God

Geographic & Family Data

Occupation: Wife, mother
Where: Wilderness
Family:
- Father: Dibri, Israelite tribe of Dan
- Husband: Egyptian man

Personal Life Application

Shelomith was a mother whose son was put in jail and executed for blaspheming God. I can only imagine how she must have felt – shame, despair, guilt, sorrow.

Download my 1-page Bible Study Guide