The Hebrew name Mêy Zâhâb, represented by H4314, is an Edomite personal name meaning water of gold. It appears 2 times in 2 unique verses in the Bible, exclusively within genealogical records. Its function is to identify a specific ancestor in the Edomite royal line.
In its biblical appearances, H4314 is used to establish the lineage of Mehetabel H4105, the wife of an Edomite ruler. The scriptures in both Genesis and 1 Chronicles describe her as "the daughter H1323 of Matred H4308, the daughter H1323 of Mezahab H4314" (Genesis 36:39; 1 Chronicles 1:50). This places Mezahab as the grandparent of Mehetabel, whose husband Hadar H1924 reigned H4427 in Edom. The name is thus part of a formal record of royal succession.
The context of Mezahab is defined by the individuals in its genealogical record:
- H4308 Maṭrêd (propulsive): Matred is identified as the daughter of Mezahab and the mother of Mehetabel, forming the direct link between the two Genesis 36:39.
- H4105 Mᵉhêyṭabʼêl (bettered of God): As the granddaughter of Mezahab, her marriage to the ruler Hadar connects Mezahab's lineage to the Edomite throne 1 Chronicles 1:50.
- H1323 bath (a daughter): This word is the relational term used to construct the three-generation lineage of Mezahab, Matred, and Mehetabel Genesis 36:39.
- H4427 mâlak (to reign): This word establishes the royal context of the genealogy, noting that Hadar reigned after the death of his predecessor, Baalhanan H1177 1 Chronicles 1:50.
Though mentioned only in passing, the context of H4314 connects to broader biblical themes of lineage and sovereignty.
- Genealogical Integrity: The specific inclusion of Mezahab, along with her daughter Matred H4308 and granddaughter Mehetabel H4105, underscores the importance of recording family lines, including maternal ancestry, in the historical narratives of Scripture Genesis 36:39.
- Significance of a Name: The name H8034 Mezahab is part of a detailed list where names identify individuals in history. This aligns with the biblical principle that a name H8034 carries significance, reflecting identity, character, and one's role in a larger story, ultimately pointing to the importance of being called by God's name 2 Chronicles 7:14.
- Divine Sovereignty: The account is centered on who "reigned" H4427 in Edom. While the text chronicles the succession of human kings, the wider scriptural witness affirms that it is the LORD who truly reigns Psalms 99:1 and oversees the rise and fall of all earthly rulers.
In summary, H4314 is the proper name Mezahab, meaning "water of gold." It appears solely to identify an Edomite ancestor within a royal genealogy. While a minor detail, its inclusion highlights the biblical emphasis on precise historical records and connects to the larger theological themes of lineage, identity through names, and God's ultimate sovereignty over the history of all nations and their rulers.
TRV