Shema designates a town in the southern extremity of Judah's tribal allotment, near the Edomite border. It appears in Joshua's comprehensive list of Judah's towns, organized by geographical regions. The location remains uncertain, with some suggesting identification with sites in the Negev region. The name possibly means 'hearing' or 'fame,' sharing a root with the famous Shema prayer. Like many southern Judean towns, it likely served as a defensive outpost guarding against incursions from the south. The town's placement in the biblical list preserves its role in defining Judah's borders even if its exact location is now lost.