מֵישַׁךְ (me.shakh)
me.shakh
Meshach
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The proper noun Meshach refers to one of the three young men from Judah taken into Babylonian exile, originally named Mishael. The sources identify him as a close companion of Daniel and Azariah, forming a tight-knit group that navigated life at the royal court in Jerusalem’s absence. His name, given by Nebuchadnezzar, is interpreted to mean "guest of a king," marking his new identity within the empire while he retained his original Hebrew heritage.
Meshach appears repeatedly in the book of Daniel, particularly during the crisis involving King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. Along with his friends, he refused to bow down to the statue, an act of defiance that led to their being thrown into a fiery furnace. The text highlights their collective courage and faithfulness, noting that they were preserved unharmed by divine intervention. This narrative cements his role as a symbol of steadfast loyalty to God amidst intense cultural pressure.
Though he has no recorded dialogue in the biblical text, his presence is vital to the story’s witness. The repetition of his name in Daniel 3 underscores his equal standing with Shadrach and Abednego in the eyes of both the king and the narrative. He represents the faithful remnant who maintain their distinct identity and devotion despite living in a foreign land.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Meshach was a young man from Judah who found himself far from home in Babylon. Originally called Mishael, he received a new name that meant "guest of a king." This change marked a shift in his identity, yet it did not erase his heritage. Along with Daniel and Azariah, he lived at the royal court, navigating a foreign culture while holding fast to his faith.
His story is most famous for the moment he refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue. When faced with the threat of a fiery furnace, Meshach stood firm alongside his friends. He trusted that God could save them, but even if He did not, they would still remain faithful. This act of quiet courage shows that loyalty to God matters more than fitting in with the world around us.
Though Meshach never speaks in the text, his presence reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. We have companions who share our values and support our choices. In times of pressure, we can look to these examples of steadfastness. May you find strength in your own community of faith as you face challenges today.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Meshach1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מֵישַׁ֔ךְ1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 1:7
The prince of the eunuchs gave names to them: to Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
This verse records the moment Meshach received his Babylonian name, marking the beginning of his life in exile and his new identity within the empire.