4898. Meshezabel
Lexical Summary
Meshezabel: Meshezabel

Original Word: מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Msheyzab'el
Pronunciation: meh-sheh-zah-BAYL
Phonetic Spelling: (mesh-ay-zab-ale')
KJV: Meshezabeel
NASB: Meshezabel
Word Origin: [from an equiv. to H780 (אֲרָרַט - Ararat)4 and H410 (אֵל - God)]

1. delivered of God
2. Meshezabel, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Meshezabeel

From an equiv. To shzab and 'el; delivered of God; Meshezabel, an Israelite -- Meshezabeel.

see HEBREW shzab

see HEBREW 'el

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from an equiv. of shezab and from el
Definition
"God delivers," an Isr. name
NASB Translation
Meshezabel (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵל proper name, masculine Jewish name in Persian period (God delivers; from Aramaic שֵׁיזֵיב, deliver, Assyrian šûzubu, Shaph`el from ezêbu, deliver, DlHWB 35; compare the Babylonian names Mušizib-Marduk, 'Marduk delivers,' Mušizib-ílu, KBii. 281, iv. 129): — grandfather of one of the wall-builders Nehemiah 3:4; one of those sealed Nehemiah 10:22; father of royal officer (a Judaean) Nehemiah 11:24; the relation of these to each other is unknown; ᵐ5 Μασεζεβηα, Μεσωζεβηλ, ᵐ5L Μασσιζαβελ, etc.

Topical Lexicon
Occurrences in Scripture

Meshezabel appears three times in the post-exilic record of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:4; Nehemiah 10:21; Nehemiah 11:24). In each setting he or his descendants are linked to the rebuilding, covenant renewal and governmental administration of Jerusalem after the exile.

Historical Context

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah describe the return from Babylon, the rebuilding of the temple and walls, and the re-establishment of covenant life under Persian rule. Names preserved in these chapters are more than registries; they serve as testimonies that God preserved a faithful remnant, in line with His promises to Abraham, Moses and David. Meshezabel’s inclusion in three distinct lists demonstrates the continuity of a single family’s service across several decades of restoration work.

Genealogical and Ministerial Significance

1. Rebuilding the Wall:

Nehemiah 3:4 records, “Next to them Meshullam son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel, made repairs.” The wall project was divided among families; Meshezabel’s grandson Meshullam rebuilt a strategic section near the Fish Gate. The mention of the grandfather underlines the heritage of faith and responsibility flowing through the generations.

2. Covenant Renewal:

In the sealing of the renewed covenant (Nehemiah 10:21), Meshezabel’s family appears among the signatories. This underscores their public alignment with the Law of Moses at a critical juncture when intermarriage, Sabbath neglect and debt exploitation threatened Israel’s distinct identity.

3. Royal Liaison:

Nehemiah 11:24 highlights a later descendant, Pethahiah, who functioned as liaison to the Persian king: “Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, of the descendants of Zerah son of Judah, represented the people before the king concerning all matters”. This role demanded both fidelity to Judah and credibility before the imperial court, illustrating how God raised trusted servants within foreign structures for His people’s welfare (compare Daniel 6; Esther 10:3).

Theological Insights

The name Meshezabel likely means “God rescues” or “Whom God delivers.” His family narrative embodies that meaning:

• Deliverance from Exile: The lineage survived deportation and returned, demonstrating Yahweh’s faithfulness to rescue His covenant people (Jeremiah 29:10-14).
• Deliverance through Leadership: Their contributions helped deliver Jerusalem from vulnerability (broken walls), covenant unfaithfulness, and political marginalization.
• Deliverance in Generations: The grandfather’s memory anchors the grandson’s work, illustrating Psalm 145:4, “One generation shall declare Your works to the next.”

Application for the Contemporary Church

1. Heritage of Service: Spiritual legacy matters. Families, congregations and ministries should cultivate generational faithfulness so that the works of parents inspire the obedience of children.
2. Integrated Calling: Like Pethahiah, believers may serve both the covenant community and secular authorities, combining loyalty to God with responsible citizenship (Romans 13:1-7).
3. Covenant Commitment: The renewal scene of Nehemiah 10 reminds Christians to reaffirm devotion to Scripture and to distinct holiness amid cultural pressures.
4. Hope of Deliverance: The very name Meshezabel points ahead to the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ, in whom all God’s rescue purposes find their fulfillment (Matthew 1:21; Colossians 1:13-14).

Meshezabel’s brief appearances therefore encourage steadfast, intergenerational, covenantal service grounded in the God who rescues.

Forms and Transliterations
מְשֵֽׁיזַבְאֵ֜ל מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֑ל מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֥ל משיזבאל mə·šê·zaḇ·’êl məšêzaḇ’êl mesheizavEl
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Nehemiah 3:4
HEB: בֶּרֶכְיָ֖ה בֶּן־ מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֑ל ס וְעַל־
NAS: the son of Meshezabel made repairs.
KJV: the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them
INT: of Berechiah the son of Meshezabel and Next

Nehemiah 10:21
HEB: מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֥ל צָד֖וֹק יַדּֽוּעַ׃
NAS: Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,
KJV: Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,
INT: Meshezabel Zadok Jaddua

Nehemiah 11:24
HEB: וּפְתַֽחְיָ֨ה בֶּן־ מְשֵֽׁיזַבְאֵ֜ל מִבְּנֵי־ זֶ֤רַח
NAS: the son of Meshezabel, of the sons
KJV: the son of Meshezabeel, of the children
INT: Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel of the sons of Zerah

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4898
3 Occurrences


mə·šê·zaḇ·’êl — 3 Occ.

4897
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