מִבְשָׂם (miv.sam)
miv.sam
Mibsam
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Mibsam, transliterated from the Hebrew מִבְשָּׂם, carries the meaning "sweet odour" or "fragrance." It appears in Scripture as a proper noun for two distinct individuals, linking different eras of biblical history through this shared linguistic root. The first instance identifies him as one of the twelve sons of Ishmael, mentioned in Genesis 25:13 among the genealogies of the Arab tribes.
Centuries later, the same name surfaces in First Chronicles 4:25, referring to a descendant of Simeon named Mibsam. This individual is recorded as the son of Shallum and father of Mishma, appearing within the tribal records of Judah during the period of the divided monarchy. The recurrence of this name suggests it was a recognizable term for pleasant scent in ancient Hebrew culture.
Etymologically, the word derives from roots associated with balsam or spice, reflecting the value placed on aromatic plants in the ancient Near East. By appearing in both Ishmaelite and Simeonite lineages, the name illustrates how common descriptive terms became personal identifiers across different family lines and historical periods.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mibsam means "sweet odour." In ancient times, fragrant spices like balsam were precious treasures. They brought comfort and joy to those who encountered them. When this name appears in Scripture, it carries that sense of pleasantness and value.
God uses names to tell stories about identity. Seeing Mibsam in the family lines of Ishmael and Simeon reminds us that God knows every person by name. He weaves together different families and histories into one grand narrative. Your life, like these ancient records, is known and remembered by Him.
Just as a sweet scent lingers in the air, the memory of faithful lives can inspire others. You do not need to be famous to matter. Being known by God is enough. His care extends to every individual listed in His Word, and He cares for you just as deeply.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Mibsam2×
- Mibsam1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/מִבְשָֽׂם\׃2×
- מִבְשָׂ֥ם1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 25:13
These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to the order of their birth: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
This verse places Mibsam among the sons of Ishmael, showing how the name was used in early tribal genealogies to identify a specific lineage.
-
I Chronicles 1:29
These are their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
Here the name reappears in a chronicled list of Ishmael's descendants, reinforcing its role as a marker of family heritage across generations.
-
I Chronicles 4:25
Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, and Mishma his son.
This occurrence links Mibsam to the tribe of Simeon, demonstrating how the same name appeared in different Israelite lines centuries later.