מִזָּה (miz.zah)
miz.zah
Mizzah
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 mizzah, meaning "fear," identifies a specific figure in the genealogies of Edom. He appears as the son of Reuel and the grandson of Esau, placing him within the lineage of Jacob’s brother during the patriarchal era.
Scripture mentions this individual only three times, primarily in Genesis 36:13 and I Chronicles 1:42. These passages list him alongside his brothers Nahath, Zerah, and Shammah, preserving the family structure of the Edomite clans without further narrative detail.
The etymology links the name to a sense of awe or reverence. While the text does not elaborate on his personal character, the inclusion of his name helps trace the historical spread of Esau’s descendants through subsequent generations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Names like Mizzah often feel distant in biblical genealogies, yet they anchor our faith in historical reality. This name means "fear" or reverence, reminding us that awe before God is a legacy passed down through generations. Even in lists of descendants, every individual represents a life known to the Creator.
These records show that God keeps track of His people across time. The inclusion of Mizzah in the lineage of Esau demonstrates that no one is forgotten in the grand narrative of Scripture. It invites us to trust that our own lives, and those of our ancestors, are woven into a purposeful history.
When we study these ancient names, we find comfort in the continuity of God’s care. He remembers every name, ensuring that the story of redemption remains grounded in real human experience. This steadiness encourages us to live faithfully today, knowing our place in His eternal plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Mizzah2×
- Mizzah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִזָּ֑ה1×
- וּ/מִזָּֽה\׃\ \ס1×
- וּ/מִזָּ֑ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 36:13
These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the descendants of Basemath, Esau’s wife.
This verse establishes Mizzah as a son of Reuel within the primary genealogical record of Esau's descendants.
-
Genesis 36:17
These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These are the chiefs who came of Reuel in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.
Here Mizzah is specifically titled as a chief, highlighting his leadership role among Reuel's sons in Edom.
-
I Chronicles 1:37
The sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah.
This later chronicle confirms the enduring memory of Mizzah’s name centuries after the patriarchal era.