מוּשִׁי (mu.shi)
mu.shi
Mushite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The term mûshî refers to a descendant of Mushi, who was a son of Merari and a member of the Levitical clan. This specific designation appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, serving as an ethnic or familial label for this branch of Levi during the wilderness period.
Its primary occurrence is in Exodus 6:19, where genealogical records list Mushi’s sons to establish the lineage of the priestly families. The word functions as a gentilic adjective, identifying individuals by their ancestral origin rather than describing an action or abstract concept. It highlights the structured organization of the Levite tribes within the broader community of Israel.
While the name Mushi itself may carry connotations related to yielding or submission, the term mûshî in Scripture is strictly genealogical. It anchors the reader in the historical reality of Levi’s descendants, ensuring that the specific line of Merari is preserved in the biblical record alongside other prominent Levitical groups.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
This word marks a specific branch within the Levite tribe, tracing back to Mushi, son of Merari. In ancient Israel, family lineage was not just about history; it determined roles in worship and community service. By preserving these names, Scripture shows that every family had a place and purpose in God’s plan.
When you read lists like this, it can feel distant, but they remind us that God knows each person by name. The inclusion of the Mushites assures us that no part of Israel was overlooked. Your own background and heritage are held in God’s careful record, valued just as much as any prominent leader.
This genealogical detail invites reflection on your place in the broader story of faith. Just as these families served their community, you too have a unique role to play in the body of believers today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Mushite[s]2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/מּוּשִׁ֔י1×
- הַ/מּוּשִׁ֑י1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 3:33
Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites. These are the families of Merari.
This verse establishes the Mushites as one of the two main families under Merari, highlighting their structural importance in the Levitical service.
-
Numbers 26:58
These are the families of Levi: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, and the family of the Korahites. Kohath became the father of Amram.
Here the term appears in a census context, confirming the continued existence and identity of this clan after the wilderness wanderings.