Meshillemith

At a Glance

A Hebrew personal name preserved in Old Testament genealogies and administrative records.

Key Points

• It is a proper name, not a theological term.
• It appears in Old Testament lineage material.
• The exact identification is limited to the passage(s) in view.

Description

Meshillemith is an Old Testament personal name preserved in genealogical or priestly records. Because it functions as a proper name rather than a theological category, its significance is historical and textual rather than doctrinal. The entry should be read in connection with the specific passage where the name appears, and not treated as an abstract biblical theme. The meaning of the name is not securely established from the available row data.

Biblical Context

Old Testament genealogies often record names that identify family lines, priestly households, and administrative structures within Israel. Meshillemith belongs to that kind of material and serves to locate a person within the covenant community's historical record.

Historical Context

Genealogical lists in the Old Testament helped preserve lineage, inheritance, and priestly identity. Names in these lists may appear only once or in closely related family records, making careful textual identification important.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In ancient Israel, family and tribal records carried social and religious importance. A name such as Meshillemith would function as a marker of descent and remembered identity within the community's written tradition.

Primary Key Texts

• 1 Chronicles 9:12

Secondary Key Texts

• Related genealogical and priestly lists in the Old Testament where the same or a similar name may appear.

Original Language Note

Hebrew personal name; English transliteration may vary. The exact etymology is uncertain from the source row alone.

Theological Significance

The name itself has no independent doctrinal meaning, but it contributes to the Bible's careful preservation of persons, families, and priestly continuity.

Philosophical Explanation

This entry illustrates how Scripture records particular persons as part of real history. Proper names are not concepts, but they matter because biblical revelation is rooted in concrete people and events.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not confuse Meshillemith with similarly spelled names such as Meshillemoth or Meshullam. Read the name in its immediate genealogical context, and avoid assigning meaning or identity beyond the text.

Major Views

No major interpretive positions are attached to the name itself. The main issue is textual identification and spelling variation across translations.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry concerns a biblical person-name, not a doctrine, office, or theological system.

Practical Significance

Meshillemith reminds readers that Scripture preserves ordinary names and family lines, underscoring the historical reliability and continuity of the biblical record.

Related Entries

• Meshillemoth
• Meshullam
• 1 Chronicles
• Genealogy
• Priesthood

See Also

• Family Records
• Levites
• Priestly Genealogies
• Old Testament Historical Lists