מֵישָׁע
Mesha, an Israelite
Definition
מֵישָׁע (Mesha) is a proper noun referring to a specific individual in the Old Testament. He is identified as an Israelite, the firstborn son of Caleb (the son of Hezron) by his concubine Maacah, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 2:42. The name itself means 'safety' or 'deliverance,' reflecting a common Hebrew naming tradition. This Mesha is distinct from the more famous King Mesha of Moab mentioned in 2 Kings 3:4 and the Moabite Stone inscription.
Biblical Usage
The word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 2:42, within a genealogical list. Its usage is strictly as a personal name for a descendant of Judah through the line of Caleb. It appears in the context of chronicling the family of Hezron to establish tribal lineage and inheritance rights.
Etymology
The name מֵישָׁע (Mêyshâʻ) is derived from the Hebrew root יָשַׁע (yāšaʻ, H3467), meaning 'to save,' 'to deliver,' or 'to be spacious.' It is a nominal form meaning 'safety,' 'deliverance,' or 'salvation.' It is related to the name יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehôshuaʻ, Joshua), which means 'Yahweh is salvation.'
Semantic Range
While the individual Mesha is not a major theological figure, his name carries significant meaning. Embedded in a genealogy, it serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to the covenant promises made to the tribe of Judah. The name's meaning ('deliverance') subtly points to the broader biblical theme of God as the ultimate source of safety and salvation for His people, a theme fulfilled in Jesus (Yeshua, from the same root).
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive and carried meaning or hope. Naming a child 'Mesha' (Deliverance) likely expressed parental gratitude for a safe birth or a prayer for God's future protection. Its use in a genealogy highlights the importance of lineage and the recording of family history for establishing identity, inheritance, and tribal affiliation within the covenant community.
יְשׁוּעָה (yeshûʻâh, H3444) — The more common abstract noun for 'salvation' or 'deliverance.' יָשַׁע (yāšaʻ, H3467) — The root verb meaning 'to save' or 'to deliver.'
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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