Who was Sisamai?

Sisamai was a descendant from the tribe of Judah, mentioned briefly in the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles 2:40. His name appears in the extensive listing of Judah’s lineage, specifically in the line of Caleb through his son Hur. Sisamai was the son of Elioenai and the father of Shallum, continuing the family line that formed part of the foundational heritage of the tribe of Judah.

The name Sisamai (Hebrew: סִיסָמַי, Sîsāmay) is of uncertain etymology but is possibly related to a root meaning “prominent” or “shining,” indicating dignity or nobility, fitting for someone within Judah‘s royal and honored line.

Biblical References

• 1 Chronicles 2:40 – “Elioenai was the father of Sisamai, and Sisamai the father of Shallum.”

• 1 Chronicles 2:18-41 – The larger genealogy in which Sisamai is mentioned, tracing the descendants of Caleb, son of Hezron.

Cross References

• Ruth 4:18-22 – The genealogy of David, also from Judah.

• Matthew 1:1-16 – The genealogy of Jesus Christ, which also traces through the tribe of Judah.

• Genesis 49:8-12 – Jacob’s prophetic blessing over Judah, from whom kings and ultimately the Messiah would come.

What Happened in the Bible?

Sisamai appears in a segment of Scripture primarily concerned with the genealogical record of Judah’s descendants. The passage in 1 Chronicles 2 outlines the family tree of Caleb, a significant figure of faith and leadership from the days of Moses and Joshua. Sisamai is situated several generations after Caleb, showing the continuation of his line through Elioenai to Sisamai and then to Shallum.

There is no narrative or story associated with Sisamai himself in Scripture, but his mention serves a greater purpose in the chronicler’s aim of preserving tribal and family heritage—particularly Judah’s—as Israel rebuilt its identity after exile. Genealogies were not just records of ancestry but testimonies to God’s covenant faithfulness through generations.

What It Means for Today’s Christians

Although Sisamai is a minor figure mentioned only once, his inclusion in the sacred record emphasizes the importance of every person in God’s unfolding plan. His name, preserved in Scripture, is a reminder that in God’s eyes, no one is forgotten or insignificant. Even those without stories or achievements recorded in Scripture still mattered in the providential lineage that would ultimately lead to the coming of the Messiah.

For believers today, Sisamai represents the truth that faithfulness in family and quiet legacy can have lasting, even eternal, value. We may never be famous, but our place in God‘s story is no less meaningful.

How Sisamai’s Lineage Points to Jesus and the Gospel

Sisamai’s place in Judah’s genealogical record affirms the unbroken line from the patriarchs to David and ultimately to Jesus Christ, the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). The careful preservation of this lineage underscores God‘s sovereignty in orchestrating history to fulfill His promise of a Savior.

The Gospel of Matthew begins with a genealogy to prove Jesus‘ rightful place as the Messiah from the line of David and Judah. While Sisamai is not named in Matthew‘s account, his ancestors and descendants form part of this sacred chain. The meticulous listing of names, including Sisamai, points to the fulfillment of messianic prophecy and God‘s unrelenting commitment to His redemptive plan through ordinary, faithful people.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. Covenant and Continuity

Sisamai’s name in the genealogical record is a testament to God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah. The preservation of the line is essential to the fulfillment of God’s promises.

2. God’s Use of the Unknown

Scripture often honors people who would otherwise be forgotten. Like Sisamai, many believers live quiet, faithful lives that contribute meaningfully to God‘s purposes, even if unnoticed by the world.

3. The Importance of Family and Legacy

The Chronicles emphasize generational faithfulness. A godly heritage and spiritual legacy, though not always visible in dramatic ways, are part of God‘s design for discipling the next generation.

4. Christ as the Fulfillment

The genealogical records find their ultimate significance in Christ. Sisamai is part of the story that points forward to the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, the fulfillment of all Old Testament hope.

Reflection Questions

1. How does Sisamai’s brief mention in the Bible challenge your understanding of significance in God’s kingdom?

2. Are there ways in which you are contributing to a godly legacy, even in quiet or unseen ways?

3. How does God’s faithfulness across generations encourage you in your current season of life?

4. What steps can you take to preserve and pass on your faith to future generations?

5. How does recognizing your place in God‘s larger story affect your daily obedience?

Sisamai may appear only briefly in Scripture, but his place in the sacred record speaks volumes. His legacy is a quiet but essential thread woven into the fabric of redemption history—a reminder that in Christ, every life has purpose, and every name matters.