מִשְׁמַנָּה
Mashmannah, an Israelite
Definition
Mishmannah is a proper noun referring to a specific individual, one of the Gadite warriors who joined David's army at Ziklag while he was fleeing from King Saul (1 Chronicles 12:10). The name itself is derived from the Hebrew root for 'fatness' or 'richness,' suggesting a meaning like 'fat' or 'robust.' As a personal name, it likely carried positive connotations of physical strength, prosperity, or vigor, attributes highly valued in a military context. The biblical text lists him among the 'mighty men of valor, men trained for war,' highlighting his martial prowess.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 12:10. Its usage is strictly as a personal name for a warrior from the tribe of Gad. The context is the historical record of David's growing support from various tribes while he was an outlaw, specifically detailing the skilled fighters who defected to him. There are no other contextual uses or patterns, as it is a unique identifier for a single person.
Etymology
Mishmannah is derived from the Hebrew root שָׁמַן (shaman, H8080), meaning 'to be or become fat, rich, or robust.' It is a nominal form built from this root, essentially meaning 'fatness' or 'richness.' As a personal name, it follows a common biblical pattern where names are formed from nouns or adjectives describing desirable qualities, in this case, physical stoutness or prosperity.
Semantic Range
While the name Mishmannah itself is not theologically loaded, its appearance contributes to the theme of God's providence in building David's kingdom. The listing of specific warriors by name in 1 Chronicles 12 underscores that David's rise was supported by divinely orchestrated, loyal followers from all tribes of Israel, fulfilling God's promise. Understanding the name's meaning ('robust') enriches the image of the capable and physically strong men God provided for leadership.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often meaningful and descriptive. A name meaning 'fatness' or 'robustness' was not pejorative but indicated a desirable state of health, strength, and blessing. Physical prowess was a direct asset for a warrior. This contrasts with some modern perceptions where 'fat' may have negative connotations. His inclusion in a detailed military roster also reflects the high cultural value placed on recording lineage and the contributions of individuals to the community's history.
As a unique proper noun, there are no direct synonyms. However, other warrior names in the same context share the theme of strength or divine support, such as Ezer (H5829) meaning 'help' and Obadiah (H5662) meaning 'servant of Yahweh.'
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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