מִסְפֶּרֶת

מִסְפֶּרֶת

Mispereth, an Israelite

Definition

Mispereth is a proper noun referring to an individual listed among the Israelites who returned from the Babylonian exile. The name appears only in Nehemiah 7:7, where Mispereth is named alongside other leaders, including Nehemiah, Zerubbabel, and Jeshua. As a proper name, it does not carry multiple senses or meanings in different passages. The name is likely derived from a Hebrew root related to counting or numbering, possibly signifying something like 'enumeration' or 'census.'

Biblical Usage

This word is used exactly once in the Old Testament, in Nehemiah 7:7, within a list of returning exiles. It functions solely as a personal name, identifying a specific individual among the community that rebuilt Jerusalem. There are no patterns of usage across different books or contexts, as it is a unique attestation.

Etymology

Mispereth is the feminine form of the noun מִסְפָּר (mispar, H4457), meaning 'number, count, or enumeration.' It derives from the root סָפַר (saphar, H5608), meaning 'to count, recount, or tell.' The feminine ending -eth typically indicates an abstract noun or a collective, so the name could conceptually mean 'a numbering' or 'a census.'

Semantic Range

While the name itself is not theologically loaded, its appearance in Nehemiah 7:7 is significant. It places Mispereth among the faithful remnant who returned to Judah, fulfilling God's promises of restoration after exile (Jeremiah 29:10). Understanding the name's root meaning ('numbering') can subtly connect this individual to the themes of God's faithful counting and preservation of His people, as seen in passages about the numbering of Israel (e.g., Numbers 1:2). In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaningful connotations about character, destiny, or circumstances. A name derived from 'numbering' might reflect a hope for being counted among God's people or remembered by Him. In the post-exilic context of Nehemiah, being listed by name in the official record affirmed one's identity and inheritance within the restored community, a crucial aspect of cultural and religious re-establishment. מִסְפָּר (mispar, H4457) — The masculine base noun meaning 'number' or 'count.' מַנְיָן (manyan, H4487) — An Aramaic-derived term also meaning 'number' or 'portion,' used in later biblical Hebrew (e.g., Ezra 6:17).

Word Details