SHULAMMITE shōō’ lə mīt (שׁוּלַמִּית, H8769, meaning a woman of Shulem). SHUNAMMITE, shōō’ne mīt (שׁוּנַמִּי, H8774, meaning a woman of Shunem). “The Shulammite” is either the name of a maiden or it is a title. The interchangeableness of the two liquids lamed (1) and nun (n) is common in Sem. languages. Hence, that “Shulammite equals Shunammite” seems to be the most plausible explanation concerning the slight difference in these two names. “The Shulammite” is understood as a common variation of “Shunammite,” a woman of Shunem. In this light it has been suggested that since Abishag was a “Shunammite” taken to minister to David in his old age (1 Kings 1:1-4, 15; 2:17-22), she was perhaps the “Shulammite” of Solomon’s Song. It was common in ancient times for a conquering or succeeding king to take over the former king’s harem, the background against which Absalom made it a point to go to David’s harem (see 2 Sam 16:22). Solomon, as David’s successor, would have acquired Abishag along with other women of David’s harem. Another “Shunammite” woman of the Biblical record was the wealthy woman who provided a room for Elisha and whose son, having been smitten by the sun, was restored to life by Elisha (2 Kings 4:8ff.).

It has also been proposed that “Shulammite” is a companion, titular form of Solomon. A model is “Judith,” the fem. form, and “Judah,” the masc. form. “Shulammite” could be read “Shelomith” without significant textual emendation; hence, the result is “Shelomith,” the fem. form, and “Shelomo” (Solomon), the masc. form. “Shelomith” appears in Gr. as Salome; its meaning would be “Solomoness,” “queen,” or “princess.”

Bibliography H. H. Rowley, “The Meaning of ‘The Shulammite,’” AJSL, LVI (1939), 84-91.