{
  "id": "dict_003606",
  "term": "Meshullam",
  "slug": "meshullam",
  "letter": "M",
  "entry_type": "biblical_proper_name",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Meshullam is a Hebrew personal name borne by several different men in the Old Testament, especially in Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.",
  "simple_one_line": "A recurring Old Testament personal name used for several different men.",
  "tooltip_text": "A biblical personal name, not a theological term; several men named Meshullam appear in genealogies and postexilic records.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Names in the Old Testament",
    "Ezra",
    "Nehemiah",
    "1 Chronicles",
    "genealogies."
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Aaron",
    "Abijah",
    "Abiathar",
    "Abner",
    "Absalom",
    "biblical names and genealogies."
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Meshullam is an Old Testament personal name used for multiple individuals, so the entry functions as a name/disambiguation headword rather than a doctrinal term.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "Hebrew personal name; multiple individuals share it in the Old Testament.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Not a theological concept",
    "Used for several different men",
    "Appears especially in Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah",
    "Most often found in genealogical and postexilic contexts"
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Meshullam is a recurring Hebrew personal name in the Old Testament, applied to multiple individuals rather than one central biblical figure. The name appears especially in genealogical, priestly, Levitical, and postexilic records. Because it is a proper name, it is best handled as a disambiguation-style dictionary entry.",
  "description_academic_full": "Meshullam is a Hebrew personal name borne by several different men in the Old Testament. The name appears in Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah, especially in lists connected with genealogy, temple service, rebuilding work, and the restored community after the exile. Since Scripture uses the name for more than one individual, a dictionary entry should treat it as a proper-name headword and note that context must determine which Meshullam is in view. It is not a theological term in itself, but it is a useful Bible dictionary entry for readers tracing names and people across the historical books.",
  "background_biblical_context": "The name is repeatedly found in Old Testament lists and narratives, especially in the books of Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Those settings commonly involve family records, priestly and Levitical lines, and the postexilic restoration of Judah and Jerusalem.",
  "background_historical_context": "Meshullam is prominent in the period after the exile, when returned Israelites were organizing temple life, civic life, and rebuilding projects. Repeated names were common in Hebrew records, so context is necessary to identify the particular individual being mentioned.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "In ancient Israelite usage, personal names often carried family or devotional significance, but the biblical text uses the same name for several different men. The name’s value for interpretation lies in careful identification, not in doctrinal meaning.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "1 Chronicles",
    "Ezra",
    "Nehemiah (repeated mentions of different men named Meshullam)."
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "Other genealogical and restoration-era records where the same name appears in context."
  ],
  "original_language_note": "Hebrew personal name, transliterated Meshullam; the Bible uses it for several different individuals.",
  "theological_significance": "Meshullam has little direct theological significance as a name, but it illustrates the care needed when reading biblical genealogies and postexilic records.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "This entry is primarily an issue of identification and historical reading. The same proper name can refer to more than one person, so interpretation depends on context.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not assume every occurrence refers to the same man. Use the surrounding genealogy, office, family line, and book context to distinguish the referent.",
  "major_views_note": "Not applicable; this is a proper-name entry rather than a doctrinal issue.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "No doctrinal claim should be built from the name itself. Its purpose is lexical and historical identification.",
  "practical_significance": "Helpful for tracing family lines, temple personnel, and postexilic rebuilding accounts in Scripture.",
  "meta_description": "Meshullam is a recurring Old Testament personal name borne by several different men, especially in Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/meshullam/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/meshullam.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}