Lexical Summary Massa: Massa Original Word: מַשָּׂא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Massa The same as massa'; burden; Massa, a son of Ishmael -- Massa. see HEBREW massa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a son of Ishmael, also the realm of King Lemuel NASB Translation Massa (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs I. מַשָּׂא proper name, of a people and territory 1 'son' of Ishmael Genesis 25:14 = 1 Chronicles 1:30. ᵐ5 Μασση, Μασσα, etc. 2 realm of king Lemuel Proverbs 31:1 De Now Str Wild. — Perhaps = North Arabic Mas'u SchrCOT Genesis 25:14; KGF 102, 262 ff., 364 DlPar 302 f. II, III, II, III. מַשָּׂא, מַשּׂא, מַשָּׂאָה, מַשְׂאֵת see נשׂא. מַשֻּׂאוֺת see מַשּׁוּאוֺת נשׁא. מִשְׂגָּב see שׂגב. [מְשׂוּכָּה] see III. שׂכך. p. 960, 962, 968 מַשּׂוֺר see נשׂר. Topical Lexicon Identification Massa is one of the twelve sons born to Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar. His name designates both the individual and the tribal group that descended from him, forming part of the confederation of Ishmaelite peoples that spread across northern Arabia. Biblical Occurrences • Genesis 25:14 lists Massa in the center of the Ishmaelite genealogy: “Mishma, Dumah, Massa”. These two texts anchor Massa historically as a true descendant of Abraham, fulfilling the divine promise that Ishmael would beget “twelve princes, according to their tribes” (Genesis 25:16). Historical and Geographical Setting The Ishmaelites settled “from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt” (Genesis 25:18), an expanse that stretches across the north-central Arabian Peninsula. Classical writers appear to echo this name: Ptolemy mentions the “Masanoi” inhabiting a tract southeast of Edom, while later Arab geographers speak of a region called “Massaʼ” near the great northern trade routes. The proximity of Massa to Dumah and Tema—two well-located oases—suggests a people who controlled caravan pathways linking the Gulf of Aqaba with Mesopotamia. Their position enabled them to engage in commerce, livestock herding, and the relay of spices and incense to the Levant. Relations with Other Peoples Being sons of Ishmael, the Massaites shared linguistic and cultural affinities with neighboring tribes such as Kedar and Tema. Scripture indicates that Ishmael’s descendants lived “in hostility toward all their brothers” (Genesis 25:18), hinting at periodic conflict, yet the prophetic outlook also foresees their inclusion among the nations that will seek the Lord (Isaiah 60:7 speaks of “all Kedar’s flocks”). In later Old Testament history the broader Ishmaelite coalition surfaces as trading partners (Genesis 37:25) and occasional adversaries of Israel (1 Chronicles 5:19), showing the dynamic interplay between the covenant people and the surrounding desert tribes. Possible Link to Proverbs 30–31 The headings of Proverbs 30:1 and 31:1 contain the Hebrew word massāʾ (“oracle”), which some commentators have taken as a proper name, yielding “Agur of Massa” and “Lemuel of Massa.” If this reading is correct, it places representatives of the Massaites in a wisdom-writing context and suggests that Yahweh’s truth was reaching into Ishmaelite circles. Though the forms differ (H4853 versus H4854), the conjecture reinforces the idea that the tribe maintained a recognizable identity well into the monarchic period. Theological and Ministry Reflections 1. Fulfillment of Promise: God’s word to Abraham concerning Ishmael’s posterity (Genesis 17:20) is meticulously recorded, reminding believers that divine promises extend beyond the main covenant line and encompass all of Abraham’s household. Practical Lessons for the Church Today • Genealogies Matter: Lists such as Genesis 25 are not mere records but living reminders that the Lord tracks every tribe and family line, calling His people to value ethnic diversity within His redemptive plan. Christological Outlook Massa, though peripheral to Israel’s national story, foreshadows the gathering of desert peoples to the Light of the world. Isaiah envisages caravans proclaiming praise to the Lord (Isaiah 42:11-12). In Revelation 7:9 this vision reaches consummation as “a great multitude from every nation” worships the Lamb. The descendants of Massa will be there, trophies of grace and proof that none of God’s words fall to the ground. Forms and Transliterations וּמַשָּֽׂא׃ ומשא׃ מַשָּׂ֖א משא maś·śā masSa maśśā ū·maś·śā umasSa ūmaśśāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 25:14 HEB: וּמִשְׁמָ֥ע וְדוּמָ֖ה וּמַשָּֽׂא׃ NAS: and Mishma and Dumah and Massa, KJV: And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa, INT: and Mishma and Dumah and Massa 1 Chronicles 1:30 2 Occurrences |
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