Bible Dictionary
Shavsha
Shavsha was David’s state secretary or royal scribe. He is identified with Seraiah, Sheva, and Shisha in parallel biblical accounts.
Definition
Shavsha was David’s royal secretary or state scribe. Parallel passages call him Seraiah, Sheva, or Shisha.
Biblical Usage
Shavsha appears in the lists of David’s officers as the state secretary.
Historical Background
The office was created by David. The supplied material suggests that Shavsha may have been a foreigner, perhaps chosen because the secretary handled correspondence with other countries.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(“Seraiah,” 2 Sam. 8:17; “Shisha,” 1 Kings 4:3), one of David’s secretaries (1 Chr. 18:16).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(nobility), the royal secretary in the reign of David, (1 Chronicles 18:16) called also Seraiah in (2 Samuel 8:17) And Sheva in (2 Samuel 20:25) End in (1 Kings 4:3) Shisha.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>shav'-sha (shawsha'; in 2Sa 20:25, Kethibh, sheya', Kere, shewa', English Versions of the Bible "Sheva," are refuted by the Septuagint; in 2Sa 8:15-18, in other respects identical with Chronicles, "Seraiah" is found; the Septuagint varies greatly in all passages; it is the general consensus that Shavsha is correct): State secretary or scribe during the reign of David (1Ch 18:16; 2Sa 20:25). He was the first occupant of this office, which was created by David. It is significant that his father's name is omitted in the very exact list of David's officers of state (1Ch 18:14-17 parallel 2Sa 8:15-18); this fact, coupled with the foreign sound of his name, points to his being an "alien"; the assumption that the state secretary handled correspondence with other countries may explain David's choice of a foreigner for this post. Shavsha's two sons, Elihoreph and Ahijah, were secretaries of state under Solomon; they are called "sons of Shisha" (1Ki 4:3), "Shisha" probably being a variant of "Shavsha."</p><p>Horace J. Wolf</p>