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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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