Massa is one of the twelve sons of Ishmael, the firstborn son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. The name "Massa" is mentioned in the genealogical records found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Genesis. According to Genesis 25:13-16 , "These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were their names by their villages and encampments—twelve princes of their tribes."

Massa, as a descendant of Ishmael, is part of the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding Ishmael. In Genesis 17:20 , God assures Abraham, "And as for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him and make him fruitful and multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation." Massa, therefore, represents one of these twelve rulers, indicating the establishment of a distinct tribe or clan that would contribute to the formation of a great nation.

The name "Massa" itself is often interpreted to mean "burden" or "oracle," though the exact significance in the context of Ishmael's descendants is not explicitly detailed in the biblical text. The descendants of Ishmael, including Massa, are traditionally understood to have settled in the regions of northern Arabia, contributing to the diverse ethnic and cultural landscape of the area.

While the Bible does not provide extensive details about Massa's life or his specific role among Ishmael's descendants, his inclusion in the genealogical records underscores the importance of lineage and the fulfillment of divine promises in the biblical narrative. The Ishmaelite tribes, including that of Massa, are often associated with the nomadic peoples of the Arabian Peninsula, known for their trade and interactions with neighboring civilizations.

In later biblical literature and historical accounts, the Ishmaelites are occasionally mentioned in relation to the Israelites, often as distant relatives with whom they had various interactions, both peaceful and contentious. The legacy of Ishmael and his sons, including Massa, is thus woven into the broader tapestry of biblical history, illustrating the complex relationships between the descendants of Abraham.Genesis 25:14
And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 1:30
Mishma, and Dumah, Massa, Hadad, and Tema,
Nave's Topical Index

4854. Massa -- a son of Ishmael, also the realm of King Lemuel
... Massa. The same as massa'; burden; Massa, a son of Ishmael -- Massa. see HEBREW
massa'. 4853b, 4854. Massa. 4855 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4854.htm - 6k

Chapter xxv
... This is the history of Ishmael, the son of Abraham ... their generations: the first-born
of Ishmael Nebaioth; and ... Mibsam, and Mishma and Dumah and Massa; Hadad and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... said to have been Bela or Balaam the son of Beor ... in the Authorised Version, ruled
over Massa, and Massa, the Mash ... The name of Ishmael is met with in Babylonian ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Who are the descendants of Ishmael? | GotQuestions.org

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