Original Word: מֵישָׁא
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Meysha'
Pronunciation: MAY-shah
Phonetic Spelling: (may-shaw')
KJV: Mesha
NASB: Mesha, Mishael
Word Origin: [from H4185 (מוּשׁ - depart)]

1. departure
2. Mesha, a place in Arabia
3. also an Israelite

Mesha

From muwsh; departure; Mesha, a place in Arabia; also an Israelite -- Mesha.

see HEBREW muwsh

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a Benjamite
NASB Translation
Mesha (1), Mishael (1).

מֵישָׁא proper name, masculine of Benjamite in Moab 1 Chronicles 8:9. ᵐ5 Μισα; A Μωσα.

מִישָׁאֵל see מי. p. 567 מִישׁוֺר, [מֵישָׁר], מֵישָׁרִים see ישׁר.

Identity within the Benjamite Genealogy

Mesha is listed among the sons born to Shaharaim by his wife Hodesh after Shaharaim had settled “in the territory of Moab” (1 Chronicles 8:8-9). The Chronicler records: “By Hodesh he fathered Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, and Malcam” (1 Chronicles 8:9). Positioned between Zibia and Malcam, Mesha is the third-named child of this particular union, one of eight offspring attributed to Hodesh (1 Chronicles 8:9-10). His appearance is confined to this single verse, yet his inclusion contributes to several broader biblical themes.

Historical and Literary Setting

1 Chronicles 8 traces the descendants of Benjamin down to the post-exilic era, highlighting the tribe’s continuity despite the devastations of exile and earlier internal conflicts (Judges 20; 2 Kings 24-25). Shaharaim’s relocation to Moab and subsequent family there illustrate the dispersion of Israelites beyond traditional borders during turbulent times. By cataloging even those offspring born “in the territory of Moab,” the Chronicler reassures the post-exilic community that no branch of the covenant family has been forgotten.

Genealogical Significance

Each name in a biblical genealogy marks an irreplaceable link in the chain of covenant history. Mesha’s inclusion testifies that:
• God’s providence extends to individuals born outside the land yet still within the covenant line.
• The Chronicler’s careful record-keeping serves the restoration community’s need for tribal verification (Ezra 2:59-63; Nehemiah 7:61-65).
• Benjamin’s tribe, though once nearly destroyed (Judges 20:46-48), was fully restored, producing leaders such as Saul (1 Samuel 9:1-2) and ultimately the apostle Paul (Philippians 3:5).

Theological Reflections

1. Covenant Faithfulness: Mesha’s appearance, however brief, demonstrates that God preserves every promised lineage. Even a single, otherwise-unknown descendant in a foreign land is documented by the Spirit-inspired writer.
2. Inclusiveness of Redemption History: The Chronicler does not neglect those conceived in Moab, foreshadowing the later inclusion of Gentiles through Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5; Acts 10:34-35).
3. Personal Worth: Scripture’s careful recording of “minor” figures such as Mesha underscores that every believer is known by name (Isaiah 43:1; John 10:3).

Textual Notes

The Masoretic Text and major ancient versions (Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac) agree on the presence of Mesha in 1 Chronicles 8:9, lending additional weight to the canonical reliability of the passage.

Distinction from Other Figures Named Mesha

Old Testament usage features several unrelated individuals or places called Mesha (for example, the Joktanite boundary in Genesis 10:30; the Moabite king in 2 Kings 3). The Benjamite Mesha of 1 Chronicles 8:9, though sharing the same transliterated name, is a separate person distinguished by tribal lineage and historical setting.

Ministry Applications

• Preachers can employ Mesha’s brief mention to illustrate God’s intimate knowledge of His people and His commitment to their legacy (Psalm 139:15-16).
• Teachers may encourage believers serving in obscurity, reminding them that significance in God’s eyes is not measured by public renown (Luke 16:10).
• Family-history studies within local congregations can draw on Mesha’s example to emphasize spiritual ancestry and the importance of intergenerational faithfulness (2 Timothy 1:5).

Summary

Although Mesha is cited only once, his name contributes to the tapestry of Scripture’s testimony that God remembers each individual within His covenant plan. In the Chronicler’s genealogy of Benjamin, Mesha stands as a silent witness to divine faithfulness, the preservation of identity amid dispersion, and the assurance that no faithful servant goes unnoticed in the record books of heaven (Malachi 3:16).

מֵישָׁ֖א מישא mê·šā meiSha mêšāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts