Genesis 25:14

KJV

And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Mishma {H4927}, and Dumah {H1746}, and Massa {H4854},

Complete Jewish Bible

Mishma, Dumah, Massa,

Berean Standard Bible

Mishma, Dumah, Massa,

American Standard Version

and Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 25:14 concisely names three of Ishmael's twelve sons—Mishma, Dumah, and Massa—as an integral part of a genealogical record. This seemingly simple list is profoundly significant, demonstrating God's meticulous faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to Abraham concerning Ishmael's numerous descendants, thereby underscoring the certainty of divine promises and the historical unfolding of nations within God's overarching redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the enumeration of Ishmael's descendants, specifically his twelve sons, who are destined to become the progenitors of twelve princes and their respective tribes, as stated in [Genesis 25:16](/genesis/25-16 "Ishmael's twelve princes"). This detailed list serves to confirm the precise fulfillment of God's earlier promise to Abraham regarding Ishmael, that He would "make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; and he shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation" ([Genesis 17:20](/genesis/17-20 "God's promise concerning Ishmael")). The preceding verses in [Genesis 25](/genesis/25 "Genesis Chapter 25") detail Ishmael's age and death, marking the conclusion of his life's narrative and setting the stage for the establishment of his lineage before the narrative shifts back to Isaac's descendants.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, genealogies were far more than mere lists of names; they were crucial for establishing identity, tribal lineage, land claims, and historical continuity. They served as legal and social documents, validating a person's or a group's place within the societal structure. The inclusion of Ishmael's sons, though not in the direct covenant line leading to the Messiah, highlights God's comprehensive oversight of all humanity and His unwavering commitment to every promise He makes. These names likely represent actual tribal groups that populated the Arabian Peninsula, illustrating the historical impact and geographical spread of Ishmael's lineage, which would later interact with Israel.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme underscored by this verse is **Divine Faithfulness**—God's unwavering commitment to His word, even concerning those outside the direct covenant line of promise. It also highlights the **Significance of Genealogy** in biblical narrative, not merely as historical record but as a theological affirmation of God's sovereign control over history and His preservation of lineages according to His plan. Furthermore, it subtly introduces the **Scope of God's Plan**, reminding readers that while God works through a specific chosen line for His redemptive purposes (Isaac, Jacob, Judah, David), His divine plan encompasses a vast array of peoples and nations, all of whom are ultimately within His providential oversight, as seen in the broader narrative of [Genesis](/genesis "The Book of Genesis").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mishma (Hebrew, _Mishmâʻ'_):** This name, derived from H4927, is the same as מִשְׁמָע, meaning "Mishma, the name of a son of Ishmael, and of an Israelite." While the root often relates to "hearing" or "obedience," its primary significance here is as a proper noun identifying one of Ishmael's sons, foundational to a tribal lineage.
* **Dumah (Hebrew, _Dûwmâh'_):** From H1746, this name is the same as דּוּמָה, meaning "Dumah, a tribe and region of Arabia." It suggests "silence" or "stillness." The name not only identifies a son but also foreshadows a specific geographical region and tribal entity that would emerge from Ishmael's descendants, later appearing in prophetic texts like [Isaiah 21:11](/isaiah/21-11 "The burden of Dumah").
* **Massa (Hebrew, _Massâʼ'_):** Derived from H4854, this name is the same as מַשָּׂא, meaning "burden" or "lifting up." It specifically refers to "Massa, a son of Ishmael." Like Dumah, Massa is also associated with a region or people in later biblical texts, sometimes linked to wisdom literature, as seen in [Proverbs 30:1](/proverbs/30-1 "The words of Agur, son of Jakeh, from Massa") and [Proverbs 31:1](/proverbs/31-1 "The words of King Lemuel of Massa"), further attesting to the historical presence and influence of this lineage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Mishma,"**: This phrase introduces the first of three sons listed in this verse. Mishma, as a proper name, signifies an individual who became a progenitor of a distinct tribal group. Its inclusion here is a precise detail, confirming the specific descendants promised to Ishmael.
* **"and Dumah,"**: Following Mishma, Dumah is listed, further extending the enumeration of Ishmael's progeny. The repetition of "and" creates a simple, additive structure, emphasizing the growing number of descendants. Dumah's name carries geographical significance, pointing to a future tribal region.
* **"and Massa,"**: The final name in this verse, Massa, completes this segment of Ishmael's lineage. The cumulative effect of these names reinforces the fulfillment of God's promise for Ishmael to have numerous descendants, each contributing to the formation of distinct nations and tribes in the ancient world.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Genesis 25:14 is **Enumeration**, specifically within a **Genealogy**. The simple listing of names serves to meticulously record the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding Ishmael's numerous descendants. This precise enumeration lends historical weight and theological certainty to the narrative. The repeated use of the conjunction "and" (polysyndeton) before each name creates a rhythmic, cumulative effect, emphasizing the steady and undeniable growth of Ishmael's lineage. Furthermore, the passage contributes to the larger **Fulfillment Narrative** that permeates Genesis, where divine promises, once spoken, are shown to be perfectly realized in historical events and the formation of peoples.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous listing of Ishmael's descendants, including Mishma, Dumah, and Massa, powerfully underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even those outside the direct covenant line that leads to the Messiah. It demonstrates that God's word is entirely reliable, and His plans unfold with precise detail across all of humanity. This passage affirms that biblical genealogies are not mere historical records but theological statements affirming God's sovereign control over history, His preservation of lineages, and the fulfillment of His plans through specific families and nations, establishing identity and validating historical claims within His overarching redemptive narrative.

* [Genesis 17:20](/genesis/17-20 "God's Promise to Abraham concerning Ishmael")
* [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")
* [Acts 17:26](/acts/17-26 "God determined the times and boundaries of nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Though a concise verse, Genesis 25:14 profoundly teaches us that every detail in God's Word matters, reflecting His meticulous care and precise oversight of history and humanity. It highlights that no person or lineage is insignificant in His grand design, even those seemingly peripheral to the main redemptive narrative. The certainty with which God fulfills His promises, even to Ishmael, should bolster our faith in His broader, more central promises, such as the [promise of Christ's return](/john/14-3 "Jesus promises to return") or the [promise of a new heaven and new earth](/revelation/21-4 "God will wipe away every tear"). This verse encourages us to trust in God's unwavering character and the absolute reliability of His divine word, knowing that His faithfulness extends to every detail of our lives and His cosmic plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's faithfulness to His promise concerning Ishmael deepen your trust in His promises to you?**
* **In what ways does the meticulous detail of biblical genealogies speak to God's sovereignty over history and individual lives?**
* **What "seemingly insignificant" details in your own life might God be orchestrating for His greater purposes, as He did with Ishmael's descendants?**

### FAQ
**Why is a seemingly simple list of names included in the biblical narrative?**

Answer: The inclusion of names like Mishma, Dumah, and Massa serves several vital purposes. Firstly, it provides historical and genealogical accuracy, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that Ishmael would become a great nation with twelve princes ([Genesis 17:20](/genesis/17-20 "God's promise concerning Ishmael")). This demonstrates God's meticulous attention to detail and His faithfulness to all His covenants, even those not directly tied to the messianic line. Secondly, these names establish the origins of various tribes and peoples in the ancient Near East, providing crucial context for future interactions and prophecies involving these groups, such as the mention of Dumah in [Isaiah 21:11](/isaiah/21-11 "Prophecy concerning Dumah") or Massa in [Proverbs 30:1](/proverbs/30-1 "The words of Agur, son of Jakeh, from Massa"). Thus, these lists are not mere trivia but foundational elements of biblical history and theology.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 25:14 does not directly prophesy Christ, it contributes to the broader narrative of God's faithfulness and His comprehensive plan for humanity, which ultimately culminates in Christ. The demonstration of God's unwavering commitment to His promises, even to Ishmael's lineage, undergirds the greater certainty of His covenant promises to Abraham through Isaac, from whom the Messiah would come. This meticulous record of Ishmael's descendants serves as a testament to the trustworthiness of the God who orchestrates all history for His redemptive purposes, ensuring that all His promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ, as affirmed in [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "All of God's Promises are 'Yes' in Christ"). Christ's redemptive work, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, extends salvation to all nations, including those descended from Ishmael, thereby fulfilling God's universal design to bring all peoples under His gracious dominion, as envisioned in passages like [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Multitude from Every Nation Worshiping God"). The ultimate "seed" of Abraham, through whom all nations are blessed, is Christ Himself ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed is Christ")), making even the seemingly peripheral genealogies part of the grand tapestry leading to Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 21:11

¶ The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?

Isaiah 21:16

For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail: