4337. Mesha

Lexical Summary

Mesha: Mesha

Original Word: מֵישָׁע
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Meysha`
Pronunciation: MAY-shah
Phonetic Spelling: (may-shah')
KJV: Mesha
NASB: Mesha
Word Origin: [from H3467 (יָשַׁע - save)]

1. safety
2. Mesha, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Mesha

From yasha'; safety; Mesha, an Israelite -- Mesha.

see HEBREW yasha'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from yasha
Definition
"deliverance," a son of Caleb
NASB Translation
Mesha (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

מֵישָׁע proper name, masculine (deliverance) — son of Caleb 1 Chronicles 2:42, ᵐ5 Μαρεισα, ᵑ6L Μουσα

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Occurrence

1 Chronicles 2:42 records only one man named מֵישָׁע. “The sons of Caleb the brother of Jerahmeel: Mesha his firstborn was the father of Ziph, and Mareshah the second was the father of Hebron.”

Genealogical Significance

1. Line of Judah: Mesha belongs to the clan of Hezron, a grandson of Judah through Perez (1 Chronicles 2:5–9). His placement in the Chronicler’s genealogy highlights the breadth of Judah’s family tree beyond the direct royal line.
2. Firstborn Status: By noting that Mesha is Caleb’s “firstborn,” Scripture underlines the covenant principle of primogeniture, though later history shows God is free to choose younger sons (for example, David and Solomon).
3. Clan Founder: “Father of Ziph” identifies Mesha not merely as a biological parent but as the patriarch of a local clan or the founder of the Judean town Ziph. Such designations preserve both family memory and territorial claims after the exile.

Geographical Associations

• Ziph lay in the hill country of Judah, south-southeast of Hebron (Joshua 15:55).
• Centuries later David twice sought refuge “in the Wilderness of Ziph” when Saul pursued him (1 Samuel 23:14-24; 26:1-3). Thus Mesha’s clan-land became a setting for God’s providential protection of the future king, weaving ordinary genealogies into redemptive history.

Historical Background

Chronicles was compiled for post-exilic Judah. Naming Mesha assured returning families that land boundaries tied to Caleb’s descendants remained intact. The Chronicler also affirms that the promises given to Abraham, Judah, and David had not been nullified by exile.

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Continuity: Every recorded name, including Mesha, testifies that God preserves His people generation after generation (Genesis 17:7; 2 Samuel 7:16).
2. Faithfulness in Obscurity: Though Mesha’s deeds are not narrated, his inclusion shows that seemingly “minor” believers are still known to God and integral to His purposes (Malachi 3:16-17).
3. Territorial Stewardship: By founding or fathering Ziph, Mesha models responsible settlement of the inheritance God allotted to Judah (Numbers 34:1-12; Joshua 14–15).

Contribution to the Messianic Storyline

While the Messiah descends through another branch of Judah, Mesha’s line enlarges the tribe that produced David. The wilderness of Ziph becomes a proving ground for David’s reliance on the LORD, foreshadowing the Suffering but triumphant Messiah (Psalm 54 superscription; Hebrews 5:8-9).

Principles for Ministry Today

• Value Every Saint: Church leaders should honor even the “hidden” members whose faithfulness supports the larger mission (1 Corinthians 12:22-25).
• Guard Your Heritage: Just as Mesha’s clan safeguarded Ziph, believers steward local congregations and doctrinal truth for future generations (2 Timothy 1:13-14).
• Expect God’s Providence in Ordinary Places: The hills of Ziph, linked to an obscure ancestor, later sheltered Israel’s anointed king. God often uses unremarkable settings and people for pivotal kingdom work (Acts 9:10-12).

Related References

Genesis 38; Numbers 26:19-21; Joshua 15:55; 1 Samuel 23:14-24; 1 Samuel 26:1-3; Psalm 54; 1 Chronicles 2:3-50; Hebrews 5:8-9

Forms and Transliterations

מֵישָׁ֥ע מישע mê·šā‘ meiSha mêšā‘

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 2:42
HEB: אֲחִ֣י יְרַחְמְאֵ֔ל מֵישָׁ֥ע בְּכֹר֖וֹ ה֣וּא
NAS: of Jerahmeel, [were] Mesha his firstborn,
KJV: of Jerahmeel [were], Mesha his firstborn,
INT: the brother of Jerahmeel Mesha his firstborn who

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4337
1 Occurrence

mê·šā‘ — 1 Occ.