borrowed from מֵישַׁךְ; Meshak, an Israelite; Meshak.
Transliteration:Mêyshak
Pronunciation:may-shak'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H4335}}` (מֵישַׁךְ, Mêyshak) is a proper noun, serving as the Babylonian name given to Mishael (מִישָׁאֵל, `{{H4332}}`), one of Daniel's three companions who were taken captive to Babylon. While its precise etymology in Babylonian is not definitively established, it stands in stark contrast to Mishael's original Hebrew name, which means "Who is what God is?" or "Who is like God?". The practice of renaming captives was a common strategy employed by ancient conquerors to assert dominance, strip individuals of their former identity, and assimilate them into the culture and religion of the conquering empire. Thus, "Meshak" signifies an identity imposed by a foreign, pagan power, intended to detach the individual from their Israelite heritage and God.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Meshak appears exclusively in the Book of Daniel, always in conjunction with Shadrach and Abednego, and often alongside Daniel himself. His prominence is most notable in the narrative of the fiery furnace (Daniel 3), where he, along with his companions, demonstrates remarkable faith and courage.
* [[Daniel 1:7]]: The first mention, where the chief of the eunuchs renames Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to Shadrach, Meshak, and Abednego, respectively. This act immediately establishes the theme of identity under duress.
* [[Daniel 2:17]]: Daniel seeks the intercession of his three companions, including Meshak, during the crisis of Nebuchadnezzar's dream. This shows their collective spiritual solidarity.
* [[Daniel 3:12]]: Meshak, Shadrach, and Abednego are accused before King Nebuchadnezzar of refusing to worship the golden image. This sets the stage for their ultimate test of faith.
* [[Daniel 3:13-14]]: The king confronts them, giving them a final opportunity to comply.
* [[Daniel 3:16]]: Meshak, along with his companions, delivers their resolute refusal to bow, declaring their unwavering trust in God's ability to deliver them, and their determination to obey Him even if He chose not to deliver them ([[Daniel 3:17-18]]).
* [[Daniel 3:19-20]]: Enraged, Nebuchadnezzar commands them to be thrown into the superheated fiery furnace.
* [[Daniel 3:22-23]]: The power of the fire is so intense that it kills the men who threw them in, yet Meshak and his companions fall, bound, into the flames.
* [[Daniel 3:26]]: Nebuchadnezzar, astonished by their survival and the presence of a "fourth figure," calls them out of the furnace.
* [[Daniel 3:28]]: The king blesses the God of Shadrach, Meshak, and Abednego, acknowledging His power and their faithfulness.
* [[Daniel 3:30]]: As a result of their miraculous deliverance, Meshak and his companions are promoted in the province of Babylon.
Throughout these occurrences, Meshak is consistently portrayed as a man of integrity, courage, and steadfast devotion to the God of Israel, even when faced with the gravest of threats. His actions, alongside his friends, serve as a powerful testament to the sovereignty and protective power of God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of Meshak is enriched by examining its relationship to other names and broader biblical themes:
* **`{{H4332}}` (Mishael):** This is Meshak's original Hebrew name, meaning "Who is like God?". The contrast between this theophoric name, which proclaims God's uniqueness, and the imposed Babylonian name, which sought to erase that identity, is central to the narrative.
* **`{{H2608}}` (Hananiah) and `{{H5838}}` (Azariah):** These are the original Hebrew names of Shadrach and Abednego, respectively. Their meanings ("The Lord has been gracious" and "The Lord has helped") similarly highlight their divine connection, which the Babylonian names sought to obscure.
* **`{{H1840}}` (Daniel):** As the leader of the four, Daniel's wisdom and faithfulness often set the stage for the actions of his companions, forming a collective example of piety in exile.
* **The Theme of Renaming and Identity:** The renaming of these four young men (Daniel to Belteshazzar, Hananiah to Shadrach, Mishael to Meshak, Azariah to Abednego) is a crucial aspect of the Babylonian attempt at cultural and religious assimilation. Their subsequent refusal to compromise their faith, despite bearing new names, underscores the triumph of internal spiritual identity over external imposition.
* **Faith in Exile:** The narrative of Meshak is part of the larger theme of maintaining faithfulness to Yahweh while living as exiles in a foreign, pagan land.
### Theological Significance
Meshak, along with Shadrach and Abednego, embodies profound theological truths that resonate throughout biblical history and Christian theology:
* **Unwavering Faith and Obedience:** Their refusal to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's idol, despite the terrifying consequence of the fiery furnace, epitomizes radical trust in God. Their declaration, "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up" ([[Daniel 3:17-18]]), demonstrates a faith that transcends the expectation of deliverance, resting solely on God's sovereignty and their commitment to Him.
* **Divine Protection and Presence:** The miraculous preservation of Meshak and his companions in the furnace highlights God's omnipotence and His commitment to protect His faithful servants. The appearance of a "fourth figure, like a son of the gods" ([[Daniel 3:25]]) within the flames underscores God's immanent presence with His people during their most severe trials. This points forward to the comforting truth of God's presence with believers in all tribulations.
* **Testimony to Pagan Rulers:** Their steadfastness and God's miraculous intervention led to Nebuchadnezzar's awe and subsequent decree acknowledging the God of Israel ([[Daniel 3:28-29]]). This demonstrates the evangelistic power of courageous faith, even in hostile environments, turning the hearts of kings towards the true God.
* **Resistance to Assimilation and Compromise:** Meshak's story serves as a powerful model for believers facing cultural pressures to compromise their faith. Despite being stripped of their Hebrew names and placed in a pagan court, they refused to abandon their core religious convictions, illustrating the importance of spiritual integrity over worldly conformity.
### Summary
`{{H4335}}` (מֵישַׁךְ, Mêyshak) is the Babylonian name assigned to Mishael, one of Daniel's three faithful companions in exile. Primarily featured in the Book of Daniel, particularly the account of the fiery furnace, Meshak symbolizes unwavering faithfulness, courage, and divine protection in the face of extreme persecution. His story, alongside Shadrach and Abednego, powerfully illustrates the triumph of obedience to God over worldly intimidation and the miraculous presence of God with His people during trials. Meshak's life stands as an enduring testament to the power of steadfast devotion and the ultimate sovereignty of God, even when confronted by the might of earthly empires.
TRV