Meshullam

At a Glance

Hebrew personal name; multiple individuals share it in the Old Testament.

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

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.

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.

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.

Jewish and 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.

Primary Key Texts

• 1 Chronicles
• Ezra
• Nehemiah (repeated mentions of different men named Meshullam).

Secondary Key Texts

• 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

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.

Related Entries

• Names in the Old Testament
• Ezra
• Nehemiah
• 1 Chronicles
• genealogies.

See Also

• Aaron
• Abijah
• Abiathar
• Abner
• Absalom
• biblical names and genealogies.