מַחְסֵיָה (mach.se.yah)
mach.se.yah
Mahseiah
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Mahseiah means "Jehovah is a shelter." It appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the book of Jeremiah. The word combines machseh, meaning refuge or hiding place, with the divine name Yahweh, creating a declaration that God provides safety.
Mahseiah was a priest living during the final years of Judah’s monarchy. He is identified as the father of Neriah and grandfather of Baruch, Jeremiah’s trusted scribe and friend (Jeremiah 32:12). The sources also link him to Seraiah, who carried Jeremiah’s warnings to Babylon (Jeremiah 51:59).
Though brief, these mentions highlight a family deeply involved in preserving God’s words during a time of crisis. The name itself serves as a quiet reminder of divine protection when earthly security fails.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mahseiah carries a simple but powerful promise: Jehovah is a shelter. In a time when Jerusalem faced destruction and political alliances failed, this name stood as a quiet declaration that God remains a safe place for those who trust Him. It reminds us that our security does not rest in armies or treaties, but in the Lord Himself.
While Mahseiah appears only twice in Scripture, his presence highlights how God uses ordinary families to preserve His word during crisis. As the grandfather of Baruch and father of Seraiah, he was part of a lineage that faithfully carried Jeremiah’s messages even when the world seemed to be collapsing around them. Their obedience shows us that faithfulness often looks like steady, quiet service rather than dramatic public acts.
When you feel exposed or uncertain about the future, this name invites you to rest in God’s protection. He is not distant or indifferent but offers a true refuge for your heart and mind.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Mahseiah2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַחְסֵיָה֒2×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 32:12
and I delivered the deed of the purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, in the presence of Hanamel my uncle’s son, and in the presence of the witnesses who signed the deed of the purchase, before all the Jews who sat in the court of the guard.
This verse identifies Mahseiah as the grandfather of Baruch, showing how his family preserved Jeremiah’s written word during the siege of Jerusalem.
-
Jeremiah 51:59
The word which Jeremiah the prophet commanded Seraiah the son of Neriah, the son of Mahseiah, when he went with Zedekiah the king of Judah to Babylon in the fourth year of his reign. Now Seraiah was chief quartermaster.
Here Mahseiah is named as the father of Seraiah, who carried a prophetic warning to Babylon, linking this priestly line to God’s judgment on nations.