Lexical Summary Meshelemyah or Meshelemyahu: Meshelemiah Original Word: מְשֶׁלֶמְיָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Meshelemiah Or Mshelemyahuw {mesh-eh-lem-yaw'-hoo}; from shalam and Yahh; ally of Jah; Meshelemjah, an Israelite -- Meshelemiah. see HEBREW shalam see HEBREW Yahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shalem and Yah Definition a Levite NASB Translation Meshelemiah (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs מְשֶׁלֶיָ֫ה(וּׅ proper name, masculine Μεσολλαμια, etc.: Levite יָה- 1 Chronicles 9:21, יָ֫הוּ- (ᵐ5L Σελεμιας) 1 Chronicles 26:1,2,9 ( = שֶׁלֶמְיָהוּ 2, שַׁלּוּם 12a). above, מְשִׁלֵּמִית see מְשִׁלֵּמוֺת. above Topical Lexicon Name and IdentityMeshelemiah is a Korahite Levite who appears only in the books of Chronicles. His name is rendered “Meshelemiah” (מְשֶׁלֶמְיָה) in three references, while a shortened form “Shelemiah” occurs once (1 Chronicles 26:14). He belongs to the clan that descended from Korah, son of Kohath, thereby placing him firmly within the Levitical line assigned to service at the sanctuary. Genealogical Context 1 Chronicles 26:1 introduces him as “Meshelemiah son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph”. “Asaph” here is most naturally understood as Abiasaph, a descendant of Korah (Exodus 6:24), not the well-known musician of David’s choir. This lineage clarifies two matters often raised by readers: • Meshelemiah is a Kohathite by ancestry but a Korahite by clan identification, fitting seamlessly with the Chronicler’s careful tribal records. Appointment as a Gatekeeper David reorganized the Levitical ministries as he prepared the nation for Temple worship (1 Chronicles 23–27). Gatekeepers were charged with guarding the entrances, storing and protecting the sacred vessels, and regulating access to ensure ritual purity. Within that framework Meshelemiah’s assignment stands out: • East Gate Lot. “The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah” (1 Chronicles 26:14). The east side was the principal approach to the sanctuary, an honor that highlighted trustworthiness. Service at the Tent of Meeting Before Solomon’s Temple was constructed, the Levitical guard served at the Tabernacle in Jerusalem. 1 Chronicles 9:21 states, “Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting”. This note links the family’s faithfulness under David to ongoing responsibility in the early reign of Solomon, bridging the transition from movable sanctuary to permanent Temple. Family Legacy The enumeration of seven sons (1 Chronicles 26:2) and the listing of their individual names underscore a deliberate chronicling of hereditary ministry. Unlike the calamity of their forefather Korah, Meshelemiah’s house models generational stability: 1. Zechariah The Chronicler’s spotlight on both capability (“strong men”) and numerical sufficiency aligns with the Levitical statute that each gate required a corps large enough for perpetual rotation, ensuring worshipers unhindered access and the sacred objects unceasing protection. Historical Significance Meshelemiah’s appearance in the priestly rosters testifies to David’s comprehensive reforms, which included: • Distribution of duties by sacred lots, emphasizing divine sovereignty over human appointment (1 Chronicles 24:5; 26:13). Theological and Devotional Insights 1. Redemption of a Line. The Korahite revolt ended in judgment, yet descendants like Meshelemiah illustrate that repentance and faithful obedience restore usefulness (Psalm 84:10, a Korahite psalm, rejoices: “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God…”). Summary Meshelemiah embodies the quiet but crucial ministry of safeguarding Israel’s worship. His trustworthiness at the East Gate, the capable lineage he bequeathed, and the Chronicler’s deliberate placement of his name alongside David’s other faithful servants collectively affirm the value God places on ordered service, generational continuity, and the redemption of once-wayward lines for His glory. Forms and Transliterations וְלִמְשֶֽׁלֶמְיָ֖הוּ וְלִמְשֶֽׁלֶמְיָ֗הוּ ולמשלמיהו מְשֶֽׁלֶמְיָ֔ה מְשֶֽׁלֶמְיָ֥הוּ משלמיה משלמיהו mə·še·lem·yā·hū mə·še·lem·yāh məšelemyāh məšelemyāhū meshelemYah meshelemYahu velimshelemYahu wə·lim·še·lem·yā·hū wəlimšelemyāhūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 9:21 HEB: זְכַרְיָה֙ בֶּ֣ן מְשֶֽׁלֶמְיָ֔ה שֹׁעֵ֥ר פֶּ֖תַח NAS: the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper KJV: the son of Meshelemiah [was] porter INT: Zechariah the son of Meshelemiah was gatekeeper of the entrance 1 Chronicles 26:1 1 Chronicles 26:2 1 Chronicles 26:9 4 Occurrences |
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