What significance does the name "Moza" have in biblical genealogies and history? Tracing the Name “Moza” in Scripture • 1 Chronicles 2:46 – “Caleb’s concubine Ephah was the mother of Haran, Moza, and Gazez. Haran was the father of Gazez.” • 1 Chronicles 8:36-37 – “Ahaz was the father of Jehoaddah. Jehoaddah was the father of Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. Zimri was the father of Moza. Moza was the father of Binea. Raphah was his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.” • 1 Chronicles 9:43 – “Moza was the father of Binea. Rephaiah was his son, Eleasah his son, and Azel his son.” (For comparison, Joshua 18:26 lists the Benjaminite town “Mozah,” a place name formed from the same Hebrew root.) Meaning Behind the Name • Hebrew: מוֹצָא (môtsā’) • Core idea: “going forth,” “source,” “spring,” or “place of departure.” • Imagery: an outflow of water or blood (cf. Isaiah 48:1; Psalm 68:20, where the noun form appears). The name therefore carries the thought of life issuing out, provision, or a new beginning. Moza in the Line of Caleb (Tribe of Judah) • Listed among the sons of Ephah, Caleb’s concubine (1 Chronicles 2:46). • Caleb’s lineage is renowned for faith (Numbers 13–14); recording Moza in that line highlights God’s preservation of every branch of Judah. • Through Judah comes the royal promise culminating in Christ (Genesis 49:10; Matthew 1). Every name, including Moza, underlines that unbroken chain. Moza in the Line of Saul (Tribe of Benjamin) • Appears five generations after King Saul (1 Chronicles 8:33-37). • His descendants—Binea, Rephaiah, Eleasah, Azel—are repeated in 1 Chronicles 9:43-44, showing that Saul’s house, though set aside from the throne, was not erased. • The record sits within the post-exilic genealogy, affirming that Benjamin survived exile and returned (Ezra 1:5). Moza’s branch testifies to covenant faithfulness beyond judgment. Why Two Men Share the Same Name • Common Hebrew practice: meaningful names reused across tribes. • “Source” or “spring” would resonate with parents praying their child become a fresh start for the family line. • By appearing in both Judah and Benjamin, the name subtly links the two tribes later united under Davidic rule and, ultimately, under Christ—Judah’s King and the Apostle Paul’s Messiah (Romans 11:1). Historical and Theological Significance • Genealogical accuracy: Chronicles roots Israel’s identity in real people; Moza anchors two separate branches. • Preservation theme: even lesser-known individuals are recorded; God values every “source” in His redemptive story (cf. Malachi 3:16). • Continuity after exile: the repeated listing in 1 Chronicles 9 proves that families like Moza’s returned and re-established worship in Jerusalem. Takeaways for Today • Names matter: God sees and records each “Moza,” affirming personal worth in His plan (Luke 10:20). • Faithfulness isn’t measured by fame: though Scripture says little else about Moza, his inclusion shows that quiet faithfulness spans generations (Psalm 145:4). • Our spiritual lineage is secure: just as Judah and Benjamin retained their lines, believers are kept in Christ, “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). |
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