### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Massâʼ**, represented by `{{H4854}}`, is a proper name identifying **Massa, a son of Ishmael**. Its base definition is the same as the word for burden. It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses** in the Bible, where it exclusively serves to name this specific individual within a genealogical record.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H4854}}` functions solely as a name within the lists of Ishmael's sons. It appears in the book of Genesis as part of the formal record of Ishmael's descendants [[Genesis 25:14]]. This same list is repeated in 1 Chronicles, reinforcing Massa's place in the lineage alongside his brothers Mishma, Dumah, Hadad, and Tema [[1 Chronicles 1:30]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words appear alongside `{{H4854}}` in these genealogies, identifying Massa's brothers:
* `{{H4927}}` **Mishmâʻ** (Mishma, the name of a son of Ishmael, and of an Israelite): He is listed directly with Massa in both biblical accounts of Ishmael's sons [[Genesis 25:14]].
* `{{H1746}}` **Dûwmâh** (Dumah, a tribe and region of Arabia): Also named as a brother to Massa, whose name is associated with a tribe and region [[Genesis 25:14]].
* `{{H2301}}` **Chădad** (fierce; Chadad, an Ishmaelite): This individual is named as a brother in the genealogical list found in 1 Chronicles [[1 Chronicles 1:30]].
* `{{H8485}}` **Têymâʼ** (Tema, a son of Ishmael, and the region settled by him): Another of Massa's brothers, whose name is also connected to a specific region [[1 Chronicles 1:30]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H4854}}` is rooted in its role within biblical genealogy and history.
* **Genealogical Record:** The primary function of the name Massa is to contribute to the comprehensive ancestral records of the Old Testament, specifically by identifying one of the twelve sons of Ishmael [[Genesis 25:14]].
* **Tribal Identification:** By being listed with brothers whose names became associated with tribes and regions, such as Dumah `{{H1746}}` and Tema `{{H8485}}`, Massa's inclusion helps to map the origins of the peoples descended from Ishmael.
* **Historical Continuity:** The repetition of Massa's name in both Genesis and 1 Chronicles demonstrates the preservation and consistency of this lineage within the scriptural record [[1 Chronicles 1:30]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4854}}` is a proper noun, **Massâʼ**, used to identify a son of Ishmael. Although its root definition is linked to the concept of a "burden," its biblical application is strictly as a name. Its presence in two separate genealogical lists underscores its role in establishing the historical and tribal lineages that descended from Abraham through Ishmael.
TRV