Maaseiah

At a Glance

A multi-referent Hebrew name that appears in different Old Testament contexts and must be identified by passage.

Key Points

• Multiple individuals share this name
• The name belongs in a person-name entry, not a theological category
• Each occurrence must be disambiguated by its biblical context

Description

Maaseiah is a recurring Hebrew personal name used for multiple individuals in the Old Testament. The name appears in various historical settings, including royal, priestly, Levitical, and postexilic contexts. Since it does not identify one unique person, a publishable entry would need either person-level disambiguation or a carefully framed umbrella name entry that points readers to the specific passages in view. The current row is not suitable for publication in its present theological-term category without further editorial sorting.

Biblical Context

The name appears across several Old Testament contexts and is attached to more than one figure. Readers should identify the specific Maaseiah by the surrounding narrative or list.

Historical Context

The name is found in different periods of Israel’s history, including monarchy-era and postexilic settings. This broad distribution is one reason the entry requires disambiguation.

Jewish and Ancient Context

As with many Hebrew personal names, Maaseiah likely carries a theistic meaning connected to the LORD. Ancient Israel often used names that testified to God’s action, character, or covenant faith.

Primary Key Texts

• No single key text applies to all occurrences
• the name is shared by multiple Old Testament individuals.

Secondary Key Texts

• Relevant passages must be selected case by case once each Maaseiah is identified in context.

Original Language Note

A Hebrew personal name, commonly understood as having a meaning related to the LORD’s work or action. Exact transliteration and etymological nuance can vary by form and context.

Theological Significance

The name itself has little direct doctrinal content. Its main significance is historical and literary: it reminds readers that biblical names must be read in context and not collapsed into one person.

Philosophical Explanation

This is a case of referential ambiguity, not a theological concept. The same name can be borne by multiple persons, so meaning must be assigned from context rather than from the label alone.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not assume that every occurrence of Maaseiah refers to the same man. Do not build doctrine from the name itself. Identify the specific biblical setting before drawing conclusions.

Major Views

There are no major doctrinal views to adjudicate here; the editorial issue is disambiguation of a shared proper name.

Doctrinal Boundaries

A personal name does not establish doctrine. Any theological use must come from the surrounding passage, not from the name Maaseiah itself.

Practical Significance

This entry encourages careful Bible reading by distinguishing people with the same or similar names and by keeping names tied to their immediate context.

Related Entries

• Biblical personal names
• Old Testament genealogy
• postexilic leaders

See Also

• Personal names in Scripture
• genealogies
• Ezra-Nehemiah