Lexical Summary Meshak: Meshach Original Word: מֵישַׁךְ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Meshak (Aramaic) of foreign origin and doubtful significance; Meshak, the Babylonian name of Miysha'el -- Meshak. see HEBREW Miysha'el NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) of foreign origin Definition a Bab. name NASB Translation Meshach (14). Topical Lexicon Identity and Historical Setting Meshach is the Babylonian court name given to the Hebrew exile Mishael, a noble from Judah taken to Babylon during the first deportation (circa 605 BC). Together with his companions Hananiah (Shadrach) and Azariah (Abednego), he was trained for royal service under Nebuchadnezzar’s chief official (Daniel 1). The renaming reflects Babylon’s attempt to erase covenant identity, yet Scripture consistently pairs the new name with steadfast loyalty to the God of Israel. Occurrences in Scripture Meshach appears fourteen times, all in Daniel: Daniel 2:49 and twelve verses in chapter 3 (Daniel 3:12–30). The distribution underscores that his significance centers on a single, climactic event—the fiery-furnace trial. • Daniel 2:49 records his promotion when “Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the province of Babylon.” Representative passages: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us… But even if He does not, we will not serve your gods’” (Daniel 3:16-18). “Then Nebuchadnezzar declared, ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him’” (Daniel 3:28). Character Qualities and Faith 1. Uncompromising loyalty: Meshach refuses idolatry despite lethal pressure. Role in the Exile Community Placed over Babylon’s province, Meshach influences civil affairs while maintaining spiritual integrity. His witness demonstrates that faithful service to a pagan administration need not entail moral compromise (cf. Jeremiah 29:7). Prophetic and Theological Significance The furnace scene previews eschatological themes: global idolatry, state coercion, and divine preservation of a remnant. Nebuchadnezzar’s decree that no one “speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego” (Daniel 3:29) foreshadows the universal acknowledgment of the Most High’s supremacy (Philippians 2:10-11). Typological Foreshadowing of Christ Nebuchadnezzar sees “a fourth, like a son of the gods” walking with the three (Daniel 3:25). Many interpreters discern a Christophany, portraying Christ’s presence with His people in persecution (Isaiah 43:2; Matthew 28:20). Ministerial Applications • Preaching on civil disobedience: Meshach legitimizes respectful refusal when obedience to human authority violates God’s commands (Acts 5:29). Lessons for Contemporary Believers 1. Cultural assimilation need not dictate spiritual capitulation. Further Study Compare Meshach’s narrative with other Old Testament exile figures (Joseph, Esther, Mordecai) and with New Testament persecution accounts (Acts 4–5; Revelation 13). Examine Psalms of trust (Psalms 27; 46) for thematic parallels to Daniel 3. Forms and Transliterations מֵישַׁ֖ךְ מֵישַׁ֛ךְ מֵישַׁ֧ךְ מֵישַׁךְ֙ מישך meiShachLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Daniel 2:49 HEB: בָּבֶ֔ל לְשַׁדְרַ֥ךְ מֵישַׁ֖ךְ וַעֲבֵ֣ד נְג֑וֹ NAS: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego KJV: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, INT: of Babylon Shadrach Meshach and Abed-nego Daniel Daniel 3:12 Daniel 3:13 Daniel 3:14 Daniel 3:16 Daniel 3:19 Daniel 3:20 Daniel 3:22 Daniel 3:23 Daniel 3:26 Daniel 3:26 Daniel 3:28 Daniel 3:29 Daniel 3:30 14 Occurrences |
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