Mishma
Mishma, a descendant of Simeon, was the son of Mibsam and the father of Hammuel.
Biography
Mishma was a descendant of the tribe of Simeon, positioned within the genealogy as the son of Mibsam and father of Hammuel (1 Chronicles 4:25-26). His family line is traced through several generations of Simeonites, documenting the tribe's continuity during the period of the monarchy. The tribe of Simeon had a unique history among the twelve tribes, having been given an inheritance within the larger territory of Judah rather than receiving its own distinct allotment (Joshua 19:1). As a result, Simeonite genealogies are relatively sparse in Scripture, making each recorded name like Mishma particularly valuable for understanding the tribe's persistence. His lineage demonstrates that even within a tribe whose territory was absorbed into Judah, individual family lines were carefully preserved and remembered.
Significance
Mishma's place in the Simeonite genealogy (1 Chronicles 4:25-26) speaks to God's faithfulness in preserving even the smallest and most vulnerable of Israel's tribes. Simeon had been prophetically diminished through Jacob's blessing (Genesis 49:5-7), and the tribe's absorption into Judah might have erased its identity entirely. Yet the Chronicler's careful recording of Mishma's lineage demonstrates that God remembered every branch of His covenant people. This preservation reflects the broader biblical theme that God does not abandon those who seem insignificant in human estimation. Mishma's genealogy assures believers that God maintains His covenant promises across generations, even when outward circumstances suggest a family or community has been forgotten.
Verse Appearances (2)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]
