4921. Meshillemith

Lexical Summary

Meshillemith: Meshillemith

Original Word: מְשִׁלֵּמִית
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Mshillemiyth
Pronunciation: meh-shil-eh-meeth
Phonetic Spelling: (mesh-il-lay-meeth')
KJV: Meshillemith
Word Origin: [from H7999 (שָׁלַם - To be complete)]

1. reconciliation
2. Meshillemith, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Meshillemith

From shalam; reconciliation; Meshillemith, an Israelite -- Meshillemith. Compare Mshillemowth.

see HEBREW shalam

see HEBREW Mshillemowth

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
the same as Meshillemoth, q.v.

Topical Lexicon

Biblical Setting

Meshillemith appears in the restored–community list of 1 Chronicles 9, where priests and Levites who returned from Babylon are named. The Chronicler is recounting those who “lived in Jerusalem” (1 Chronicles 9:2) to show that worship in the temple was re-established with proper priestly families.

Genealogical Context

1 Chronicles 9:12 records: “Maasai son of Adiel, grandson of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer.”
• Meshillemith stands four generations back from Maasai.
• He belongs to the house of Immer, one of the twenty-four priestly divisions established by David (compare 1 Chronicles 24:14).
• The same priestly branch is listed in the parallel passage of Nehemiah 11:13, confirming its continuity after the exile.

Priestly Lineage and Duties

The house of Immer traced its descent from Aaron through Phinehas. Members of this family served as temple priests responsible for sacrifices, the maintenance of holy vessels, and teaching the Law (Deuteronomy 33:10). Although Meshillemith’s personal acts are not recorded, his placement within the Immer line attests that his descendants legitimately ministered at the rebuilt temple.

Theological Implications of the Name

The name is related to the Hebrew root שׁלם, which conveys completion, restitution, and peace. Such overtones resonate with priestly ministry:
• Priests facilitated atonement, “making peace” between God and His people (Leviticus 16:30).
• They pronounced blessing, that the Lord would “give you peace” (Numbers 6:26).

Meshillemith’s very name therefore echoes the priestly calling to bring wholeness through sacrificial mediation.

Historical Significance in the Post-Exilic Community

1 Chronicles 9 underscores three major themes:

1. Continuity—The same families who served before the exile resume their offices, proving that God preserved His covenant line.
2. Legitimacy—By naming fathers and grandfathers, the Chronicler authenticates each priest’s pedigree, guarding purity of service (Ezra 2:62).
3. Hope—Listing forgotten ancestors like Meshillemith shows that no faithful servant is overlooked in God’s redemptive record.

Lessons for Faith and Ministry

• Hidden faithfulness matters. Though Meshillemith’s deeds are unrecorded, his faith and obedience shaped future generations of priests.
• God remembers names. Genealogies remind believers that the Lord tracks individual lives, even when history does not.
• A legacy of worship is worth preserving. Families dedicated to ministry pass along spiritual stability to the community.

Related Scriptures

Nehemiah 11:13 – Parallel list placing the house of Immer in Jerusalem.

Malachi 2:4–7 – Description of priestly covenant duties to teach and turn many from iniquity.

Hebrews 7:25 – Ultimate fulfillment of priestly mediation in Jesus Christ, who “lives to intercede” for His people.

See Also

Immer; Meshullam; Zadok; Genealogies of 1 Chronicles 9.

Forms and Transliterations

מְשִׁלֵּמִ֖ית משלמית mə·šil·lê·mîṯ meshilleMit məšillêmîṯ

Englishman's Concordance

1 Chronicles 9:12
HEB: מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם בֶּן־ מְשִׁלֵּמִ֖ית בֶּן־ אִמֵּֽר׃
KJV: the son of Meshillemith, the son
INT: of Meshullam the son of Meshillemith the son of Immer

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 4921
1 Occurrence

mə·šil·lê·mîṯ — 1 Occ.