מֵי זָהָב (me za.hav)
me za.hav
Mezahab
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Mezahab is a proper name found in two verses of the Old Testament, specifically within the genealogical records of Genesis and 1 Chronicles. The Hebrew phrase literally translates to "waters of gold," combining mayim for water and zahav for gold. This striking combination likely reflects an early Semitic naming convention where personal names drew from natural elements or valuable materials.
Scripture identifies Mezahab as a descendant of Esau, placing him among the leaders of Edom during the patriarchal era. He is noted as the father of Matred and the grandfather of Mehetabel, who married Hadad, the last king of Edom mentioned in these texts. The name appears in Genesis 36:39 and 1 Chronicles 1:50, serving to anchor his lineage within the broader history of Israel’s neighboring nation.
While the meaning "waters of gold" might suggest a poetic or symbolic origin, its primary function here is genealogical. It connects the historical record of Edom with the family tree of Jacob’s brother. The name stands as a linguistic artifact from ancient times, preserving the identity of a man whose life is recorded only through his familial connections in the biblical text.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mezahab, meaning "waters of gold," appears in the genealogies of Genesis and Chronicles. It marks a specific link in the family line of Esau, connecting him to Hadad, the last king of Edom. While the phrase sounds poetic, its primary role is historical: it preserves the identity of ancestors who shaped the region's early history.
For believers today, these records remind us that God’s story includes many lives beyond the central figures we often study. Even names preserved only in lists matter to the biblical narrative. They show how families and nations were woven together over generations, pointing to a larger plan that extends across time and geography.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Zahab2×
- Me-2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֵ֥י2×
- זָהָֽב\׃2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 36:39
Baal Hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
This verse identifies Mezahab as the grandfather of Mehetabel, linking the Edomite royal line to Esau’s descendants.
-
I Chronicles 1:50
Baal Hanan died, and Hadad reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pai. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.
The parallel account in Chronicles confirms this lineage, reinforcing the historical continuity of Edom’s leadership.