Book of Exodus — Sh’mot

What does “Sh’mot” mean in Hebrew?

“Sh’mot” (שמות) is the Hebrew word for “names.” It is best known as the Hebrew title of the biblical Book of Exodus, which begins by listing the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob.

In Jewish tradition, books of the Torah are often named after one of the first significant words that appears in the text. Because Exodus opens with the phrase “These are the names…”, the book is called Sh’mot, meaning “Names.”

Now that you’ve learned the Hebrew phrase Sh’mot, continue building your Hebrew vocabulary with other meaningful words and expressions connected to biblical faith, worship, and Jewish tradition.

• In the Beginning
• Respect
• Wisdom