מֵשָׁא

Mesha, a place in Arabia

Definition

מֵשָׁא (Mêshâʼ) is a proper noun referring to a geographical location mentioned in the Old Testament. It is identified as a place in Arabia, specifically noted as one of the boundaries of the territory inhabited by the descendants of Joktan, a descendant of Shem. The single biblical reference (Genesis 10:30) situates Mesha as lying between Sephar and the eastern hill country. While the exact location remains uncertain, it is understood as a region or settlement in the Arabian Peninsula, associated with early Semitic tribes post-Flood.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 10:30, within the Table of Nations. It functions strictly as a geographical marker, describing the extent of the settlements of Joktan's sons. There are no other contexts or patterns of usage, as it appears solely in this genealogical and territorial list.

Etymology

The etymology is explicitly noted as 'of foreign derivation' in standard lexicons, indicating it is not of native Hebrew origin. It is likely borrowed from an ancient Arabian language or toponym. The name may be related to a root meaning 'freedom' or 'deliverance' in some Semitic languages, but its precise derivation and how it entered Biblical Hebrew remain unclear.

Semantic Range

In its original cultural setting, Mesha represented a known geographical point in the ancient Arabian world, likely significant to the early Semitic tribes recording their ancestry and territories. Its mention in Genesis 10 places it within the biblical framework of the spread of humanity after the Flood, reflecting ancient Israel's understanding of the populated world and the origins of neighboring peoples. The modern uncertainty of its location highlights the historical distance.

Sephar (Sephar, H5611) — Another geographical boundary mentioned in the same verse (Genesis 10:30).

Word Details

Scripture References