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מַעֲשַׂי

𐤌𐤏𐤔𐤉

Maasay

H4640 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עשה to do, make, perform, accomplish

Definition

Ma'asai (מַעֲשַׂי) is a personal name occurring in the Hebrew Bible. The name most likely means 'Yahweh has performed' or 'the work of Yahweh,' combining a verb for action with the theophoric element (though the presence or absence of the divine element is debated). The term functions exclusively as a proper noun for individuals, often a Levitical or priestly figure in genealogies or temple roles.

Semantic Range

personal name (typically a Levitical or priestly individual), related etymologically to deed or work, possibly by extension 'Yahweh has performed' or 'work of Yahweh' (if theophoric)

Root / Etymology

From the Hebrew root עשה (ayin-shin-he), meaning 'to do, make, perform.' The formation Maʻăsay likely incorporates a nominal or participial form indicating 'work/deed,' though the precise theophoric component is debated and may be elided in scribal forms (possibly a shortened or variant form of a longer theophoric name such as Maʻăsayah).

Historical & Contextual Notes

מַעֲשַׂי appears in genealogical and priestly lists, particularly in the post-exilic books (e.g., 1 Chronicles, Nehemiah). In these contexts, the name typically denotes Levitical, priestly, or other temple-associated individuals. The spelling reflects possible abbreviation from a fuller form (like Maʻăsayah), with elision of the theophoric element (Yah), a feature sometimes seen in personal names of the period. Older translations sometimes render the name as 'Massai' or 'Maasiai,' attempting to capture the vocalization and possible underlying meaning. It does not carry a generic sense of 'worker' or 'operative' but functions as a proper name contextualized within Israelite onomastics. English translations usually transliterate, but sometimes obscure the relationship to the root עשה. The root underlying the name (עשה) broadly denotes the act of doing or making, but this specific name is not used as a common noun or verb in the biblical text.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

xlit Maʻsay corrected to Maʻăsay; from עָשָׂה; operative; Maasai, an Israelite; Maasiai.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עשה (ʿ-ś-h) — to do, make, perform, accomplish

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3299 יַעֲשׂוּ They-will-act
H3300 יַעֲשִׂיאֵל And God-has-made
H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה in your deeds
H4641 מַעֲשֵׂיָה Yahweh has accomplished
H6213 עָשָׂה he did

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4640-01 וּ/מַעְשַׂ֨י umaesay HC/Np and Maasai and Yah-has-performed 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4640-01 1 Chronicles 9:12 וּ/מַעְשַׂ֨י umaesay HC/Np and Maasai and Yah-has-performed
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