מִישָׁאֵל
𐤌𐤉𐤔𐤀𐤋
Mishael
H4333 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name occurring in the Hebrew Bible, primarily designating an individual of the tribe of Levi in the early Israelite period and a Judahite exile in the later period. The name's meaning is generally interpreted as 'Who is what God is?' or 'Who is like God?', expressing a rhetorical question emphasizing the incomparability of God. In addition to its use in Hebrew, the name is attested in Aramaic contexts, particularly in the book of Daniel, indicating its continued usage and adaptation in Jewish communities during the Babylonian and Persian eras. Semantic range is restricted to its function as a personal name in the biblical record.
Semantic Range
personal name; 'Who is what God is?'; rhetorical question expressing God's uniqueness; used for Levite individual (Exodus), for Judahite exile (Daniel)
Root / Etymology
The name derives from the root מ־ש־א (question/interrogative, as in 'who?'), combined with a form of 'El' (God). The construction forms a rhetorical question, common in Hebrew personal names expressing reverence or uniqueness of God. Root: משא ('to ask, desire, inquire') plus אל ('God').
Historical & Contextual Notes
מִישָׁאֵל appears in two principal biblical contexts: 1) as a Levite, the son of Uzziel and cousin of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 6:22, Leviticus 10:4, 1 Chronicles 6:19); 2) in the Aramaic section of Daniel (Daniel 1:6, 1:11, 1:19), as a Judahite exile given the Babylonian name Meshach. In both contexts, the name functions as a theophoric name (bearing the divine element 'El'). In the book of Daniel, the Aramaic form מִישָׁאֵל highlights linguistic and cultural continuity among exilic populations. English translations often retain 'Mishael' as proper noun. In later periods, Jewish tradition preserves the name as a symbol of piety and faithfulness. There is no significant semantic development or diversification beyond its use as a personal name.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to מִישָׁאֵל; Mishael, an Israelite; Mishael.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מיאל (m-y-ʾ-l) — who?, God, divine being, comparison
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4332 | מִישָׁאֵל | Who is like God? |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4333-01 |
מִֽישָׁאֵ֧ל | mishael | ANp |
Mishael | Who is like God | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4333-01 |
Daniel 2:17 | מִֽישָׁאֵ֧ל | mishael | ANp |
Mishael | Who is like God |