Simeon

hearing.

(1.) The second son of Jacob by Leah (Gen 29:33 ). He was associated with Levi in the terrible act of vengeance against Hamor and the Shechemites (Gen 34:25 ; 34:26). He was detained by Joseph in Egypt as a hostage (Gen 42:24 ). His father, when dying, pronounced a malediction against him (Gen 49:5 -7). The words in the Authorized Version (Gen 49:6 ), "they digged down a wall," ought to be, as correctly rendered in the Revised Version, "they houghed an ox."

(2.) An aged saint who visited the temple when Jesus was being presented before the Lord, and uttered lofty words of thankgiving and of prophecy (Luke 2:29 -35).

(3.) One of the ancestors of Joseph (Luke 3:30 ).

(4.) Surnamed Niger, i.e., "black," perhaps from his dark complexion, a teacher of some distinction in the church of Antioch (Acts 13:1 -3). It has been supposed that this was the Simon of Cyrene who bore Christ's cross. Note the number of nationalities represented in the church at Antioch.

(5.) James (Acts 15:14 ) thus designates the apostle Peter (q.v.).

EBD - Easton's Bible Dictionary