מֵישָׁא
𐤌𐤉𐤔𐤀
Meysha
H4331 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun. (1) A geographic name: Mesha, denoting (a) a boundary location in the southern region associated with the descendants of Joktan, possibly in the Arabian Peninsula; (b) also possibly the land inhabited by various peoples or territories listed in genealogical or migratory records. (2) Personal name: Mesha, used for an individual leader or king, most notably associated with a ruler of Moab, as well as a descendant of Caleb within Judahite genealogies. The semantic range thus encompasses both place name and personal name, depending on context.
Semantic Range
boundary location in Arabia (Genesis 10:30); personal name of a non-Israelite king (2 Kings 3:4); personal name within Judahite genealogy (1 Chronicles 2:42); general toponym or anthroponym
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew root מוּשׁ (m-w-sh), meaning 'to depart, remove, withdraw.' The name מֵישָׁא (Mêyshâʼ) is likely derived as a toponym or personal name signifying 'departure' or 'removal,' either in a literal or associative sense. The exact motivation for the name in each context can differ.
Historical & Contextual Notes
מֵישָׁא appears in multiple biblical contexts: (1) As a place name, Mesha is referenced in Genesis 10:30 as a geographic marker for the territory associated with the descendants of Joktan, generally understood to be in the southern regions, often linked with northwestern Arabia. (2) As a personal name, Mesha is the king of Moab mentioned in 2 Kings 3, notably a non-Israelite, not to be confused with other figures. There is also a Mesha listed as a descendant of Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:42), providing an Israelite example of the personal name. The translation 'Mesha' may appear in English Bibles for both the place and personal names; however, in the case of the Moabite king, later Jewish tradition and some English translations may introduce interpretive elements. The name's use as a place or person varies by era and context; in lists such as Genesis 10, the point is territorial homeland, while in monarchic history it is a conventional royal name. The term does not denote an ethnic or religious identity in any primary lexical sense, nor does it uniquely indicate Israelite lineage—context determines specific identity. The association with 'departure' is etymological and does not necessarily convey meaning in every usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מוּשׁ; departure; Mesha, a place in Arabia; also an Israelite; Mesha.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מושׁ (m-w-sh) — to depart, remove, withdraw
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4331-01 |
מֵישָׁ֖א | meysha | HNp |
Mesha | Departure | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4331-01 |
1 Chronicles 8:9 | מֵישָׁ֖א | meysha | HNp |
Mesha | Departure |