מְשִׁלֵּמִית
Meshillemith, an Israelite
Definition
Meshillemith is a proper name of an Israelite priest mentioned in 1 Chronicles 9:12. The name is derived from the Hebrew root for 'peace' or 'recompense' and means 'reconciliation' or 'recompense.' In the biblical context, Meshillemith is identified as a priest from the family of Immer who returned from exile and served in the temple. The name appears only in this genealogical list, and there are no other major senses or meanings attached to it in Scripture.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 9:12, within a list of priests and Levites who resettled in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It functions solely as a personal name in this genealogical context, with no narrative or descriptive usage elsewhere.
Etymology
The name Meshillemith (מְשִׁלֵּמִית) is a feminine form derived from the root שָׁלַם (shalam, H7999), meaning 'to be complete, sound, or at peace.' It is related to the concept of 'recompense' or 'reconciliation.' The name is a variant of Meshillemoth (H4919), which shares the same root and meaning, indicating a thematic connection to peace or restoration.
Semantic Range
As a personal name meaning 'reconciliation,' Meshillemith subtly points to the priestly role of mediating peace between God and people. In the post-exilic context of 1 Chronicles 9, the name may symbolically reflect the restored priesthood's mission in a community seeking reconciliation with God after judgment. Understanding the name's etymology enriches appreciation for how biblical names often carried theological hopes.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often conveyed meaningful attributes or parental hopes. Meshillemith, meaning 'reconciliation,' likely expressed a desire for restored relationships or divine favor, especially significant for a priestly family returning from exile. This contrasts with modern naming conventions, where meaning is less emphasized.
Meshillemoth (Mᵉshillêmôth, H4919) — A masculine variant of the same name, also meaning 'recompense' or 'reconciliation,' used for other individuals in the Old Testament (e.g., 2 Chronicles 28:12).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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