from מִי and אֵל with the abbreviated form insep. relatively (see אֲשֶׁר) interposed; who (is) what God (is) ?; Mishael, the name of three Israelites; Mishael.
Transliteration:Mîyshâʼêl
Pronunciation:mee-shaw-ale'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun מִישָׁאֵל (Mîyshâʼêl), designated by Strong's H4332, is a theophoric name whose etymology reveals a profound theological statement. It is a compound word derived from three elements: מִי (mî, "who" or "what," `{{H4310}}`), an abbreviated form of אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, "who," "which," or "that," `{{H834}}`) often represented by the single letter שׁ, and אֵל (ʼēl, "God," `{{H410}}`). The literal meaning, therefore, is a rhetorical question: "Who is what God is?" or more commonly, "Who is like God?" This question functions as a declaration of God's unique and incomparable nature, asserting His absolute supremacy and distinctness from all created beings or false deities. The semantic range of this name is narrow, as it functions exclusively as a proper noun, yet its inherent meaning carries significant theological weight.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Mishael appears in the Hebrew Bible referring to three distinct individuals:
1. **Mishael, the Levite:** He was the son of Uzziel, the uncle of Moses and Aaron, and thus a cousin to Nadab and Abihu. He is mentioned in [[Leviticus 10:4]] when Moses instructs him and his brother Elzaphan to remove the bodies of Nadab and Abihu from the tabernacle after their unauthorized offering. His role here is one of solemn duty and obedience in the presence of divine judgment, underscoring the sanctity of God's presence and the consequences of disobedience, even for those closely related to the priesthood.
2. **Mishael, Daniel's Companion:** This is arguably the most prominent figure bearing the name. He was one of the four young Judean nobles, along with Daniel, Hananiah, and Azariah, taken captive to Babylon during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. In Babylon, he was given the Babylonian name Meshach ([[Daniel 1:6]], [[Daniel 1:7]]). Mishael, along with his companions, distinguished himself by his faithfulness to God, refusing to defile himself with the king's food ([[Daniel 1:11]], [[Daniel 1:19]]). Most famously, he, along with Shadrach (Hananiah) and Abednego (Azariah), defied King Nebuchadnezzar's command to worship the golden idol, declaring their unwavering allegiance to the one true God ([[Daniel 3:12]]-[[Daniel 3:18]]). Their miraculous deliverance from the fiery furnace ([[Daniel 3:19]]-[[Daniel 3:28]]) powerfully illustrates the very question posed by his name: "Who is like God?" Indeed, no human king or idol could deliver as the God of Mishael did. His life serves as a testament to the power and faithfulness of the incomparable God.
3. **Mishael, at Ezra's Side:** He is mentioned briefly in [[Nehemiah 8:4]] as one of the men who stood at Ezra's right hand when Ezra read the Law to the people from the wooden platform. His presence here signifies participation in a moment of national spiritual renewal and commitment to the Mosaic Law.
Across these occurrences, the name Mishael, "Who is like God?", subtly or overtly underscores the unique power, holiness, and faithfulness of the God of Israel, often in contexts where human authority or false gods are challenged.
### Related Words & Concepts
The name Mishael belongs to a significant category of Hebrew names known as "theophoric names," which incorporate a divine element, typically "El" (God) or "Yah/Yahu" (a shortened form of YHWH). This practice was common in ancient Israel, reflecting the pervasive influence of faith on personal identity.
* **Theophoric Names:** Compare Mishael with other names that pose similar rhetorical questions or make declarations about God:
* **Michael (מִיכָאֵל, Mîykâʼêl, `{{H4317}}`):** Also meaning "Who is like God?" This name is borne by an archangel and several human figures, reinforcing the concept of divine incomparability. The structural similarity to Mishael is striking.
* **Gabriel (גַּבְרִיאֵל, Gavrîʼêl, `{{H1403}}`):** "God is my strength," emphasizing God's might.
* **Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yiśrāʼēl, `{{H3478}}`):** "He struggles with God" or "God strives," reflecting a relationship with the divine.
* **Divine Incomparability:** The core meaning of Mishael strongly aligns with a foundational theological concept in the Old Testament: the absolute incomparability and uniqueness of Yahweh. This theme is repeatedly articulated by the prophets and psalmists:
* "To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?" [[Isaiah 40:18]]
* "To whom then will you liken Me that I would be his equal?" says the Holy One. [[Isaiah 40:25]]
* "For who in the skies is comparable to Yahweh? Who among the sons of the mighty is like Yahweh?" [[Psalm 89:6]]
* "Who is like Yahweh our God, who is enthroned on high?" [[Psalm 113:5]]
* **Root Words:** Understanding the constituent parts of the name enhances its meaning:
* מִי (mî, `{{H4310}}`): "Who?" or "What?" - a fundamental interrogative.
* אֵל (ʼēl, `{{H410}}`): "God" - the generic term for deity, often used for the one true God.
### Theological Significance
The name Mishael serves as a powerful theological declaration embedded within the very identity of its bearers. It is not merely a label but a perpetual rhetorical question that asserts the absolute sovereignty, uniqueness, and incomparable majesty of the God of Israel.
1. **Assertion of Monotheism:** In a polytheistic ancient Near Eastern context, the name Mishael stands as a bold declaration against the multitude of pagan deities. It challenges any notion of equality between Yahweh and the gods of the nations, unequivocally stating that "none is like God."
2. **Affirmation of Divine Power and Deliverance:** The life of Daniel's companion, Mishael (Meshach), vividly illustrates the theological weight of his name. When faced with the command to worship a golden idol, his unwavering faith, alongside his companions, was a living embodiment of the question: "Who is like God?" No earthly king, no man-made idol, no fiery furnace could stand against the God who alone could deliver them. His story transforms the rhetorical question into an undeniable truth witnessed through divine intervention.
3. **Call to Exclusive Worship:** The name implicitly calls for exclusive worship and devotion to the one true God. If none is like Him, then He alone is worthy of ultimate allegiance and adoration. This is particularly poignant in the context of Mishael's refusal to compromise in Babylon.
4. **Reminder of God's Transcendent Nature:** The name reinforces God's transcendence – His being utterly distinct and superior to all creation. This attribute underpins His holiness, justice, and omnipotence.
### Summary
The Hebrew name מִישָׁאֵל (Mîyshâʼêl, `{{H4332}}`) is a profound theophoric name meaning "Who is like God?" or "Who is what God is?" This rhetorical question functions as an emphatic declaration of God's absolute uniqueness, supremacy, and incomparability. While borne by three individuals in the biblical narrative—a Levite cousin of Moses, one of Ezra's companions, and most notably, one of Daniel's three faithful friends—it is through the latter's steadfast obedience and miraculous deliverance from the fiery furnace that the name's theological significance is most powerfully demonstrated. Mishael's life, especially as Meshach in Babylon, served as a living testament to the truth his name proclaimed, challenging the idolatry of his captors and affirming the singular power of the God of Israel. The name Mishael, therefore, stands as an enduring biblical affirmation of God's unrivaled majesty and His sole claim to worship.
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