מְשִׁלֵּמוֹת
Meshillemoth, an Israelite
Definition
Meshillemoth is a proper name meaning 'reconciliations' or 'retributions,' derived from the Hebrew root for peace and completeness. It refers to two distinct individuals in the Old Testament. The first is an Ephraimite, the father of Berechiah, who courageously opposed the plan to enslave fellow Israelites from Judah during the reign of King Pekah (2 Chronicles 28:12). The second is a priest, the son of Immer, who settled in Jerusalem after the exile (Nehemiah 11:13). The name itself, signifying reconciliations, is prophetically fitting for the priestly role in restoring the community.
Biblical Usage
The name Meshillemoth is used only twice in the Old Testament, each for a different person in distinct historical contexts. In 2 Chronicles 28:12, it identifies a lay leader from Ephraim during a period of national crisis and inter-tribal conflict. In Nehemiah 11:13, it identifies a priestly figure in the post-exilic community, listed among those who repopulated Jerusalem. Both usages are in narrative, historical books detailing the lineage and roles of key community figures.
Etymology
Meshillemoth (מְשִׁלֵּמוֹת) is a plural form derived from the root שָׁלַם (shalam, H7999), meaning 'to be complete, sound, or at peace.' The root gives rise to the central concept of shalom (peace, wholeness). The specific form is a plural intensive noun, suggesting 'full reconciliations' or 'complete repayments/retributions.' It is a theophoric name, implicitly attributing acts of restoration or recompense to God.
Semantic Range
While a proper name, Meshillemoth embodies the theological theme of shalom—God's restorative peace and justice. The Ephraimite's story (2 Chronicles 28:12) highlights the application of this concept in social justice, opposing oppression to achieve reconciliation. The priest's role (Nehemiah 11:13) connects the name to the restoration of worship and community after judgment. The name serves as a reminder that God's people are called to be agents of His reconciling wholeness in both crisis and rebuilding.
In ancient Israel, names often carried significant meaning, reflecting character, destiny, or divine attributes. Meshillemoth, meaning 'reconciliations,' would have been given with hope for the child's role in fostering peace or as a testimony to God's restorative action in the family's life. The dual appearance—as a tribal leader and a priest—shows the name's use across different social strata, both valuing the ideal of restored relationships.
Meshillemith (Mᵉshillêmîyth, H4921) — A feminine form of the same name, referring to a different individual, likely a relative (Nehemiah 3:4, 3:21).
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.
Full methodology & sources →