מִשְׁעָם

Misham, an Israelite

Definition

Misham is a proper noun referring to an Israelite individual mentioned in the genealogical records of the tribe of Benjamin. The name appears only once in the Bible, in 1 Chronicles 8:12, where Misham is listed as a son of Elpaal, a Benjamite. As a personal name, it does not have multiple senses or meanings in different passages. Its significance is solely as an identifier for a specific person within a family lineage.

Biblical Usage

The word is used exclusively in 1 Chronicles 8:12 within a genealogical list detailing the descendants of Benjamin who resettled Jerusalem after the exile. It functions strictly as a personal name with no narrative context or repeated usage elsewhere in the Old Testament. The pattern is typical of many names recorded in the Chronicler's genealogies, serving to preserve family heritage and tribal identity.

Etymology

The name Misham (מִשְׁעָם) is apparently derived from the Hebrew root שָׁעָה (shah, H8159), which carries meanings related to looking, gazing, or inspecting. It may be a noun form meaning 'inspection' or 'a looked-for thing.' As with many Hebrew names, it likely conveyed a hopeful characteristic or circumstance related to the child's birth, though the exact intended meaning in this specific case is not elaborated in the biblical text.

Semantic Range

In ancient Israelite culture, names were often significant and conveyed meaning, attributes, or circumstances. While the specific reason for naming this individual Misham is not provided, the name's potential connection to 'inspection' or 'gazing' might reflect a parental hope or a notable event at his birth. Recording such names in genealogies, as in 1 Chronicles, was crucial for maintaining tribal lineage, inheritance rights, and identity, especially after the Babylonian exile.

Word Details

Scripture References