מְצֹבָיָה (me.tso.va.yah)
me.tso.va.yah
Mezobaite
N:N--PGQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--PG
Word Overview
The proper noun Metsobayah appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, at 1 Chronicles 11:47. It identifies Jaasiel as a member of a group known as the Mitzbeites, one of the clans that contributed to King David’s elite corps of warriors. The text lists these men alongside other notable figures to highlight the broad support David received from various tribal backgrounds.
Etymologically, the name is generally understood to mean "the one set up by Yahweh," deriving from a root related to establishment or foundation. However, scholars note that its grammatical form is unusual for an adjective of nationality in this context. Some commentators suggest it may be a variant spelling or a title rather than a standard tribal designation, reflecting the complex textual history of the Chronicles.
Because the word occurs so rarely, it offers limited insight into broader theological themes. Its primary value lies in historical detail, preserving the name of a specific warrior clan that served David. This single mention underscores the diverse composition of Israel’s early military leadership.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mezobaite appears just once in Scripture, attached to Jaasiel in 1 Chronicles 11:47. This brief mention places him among David’s elite warriors, a group drawn from many different tribes and clans across Israel. The text does not give us a long biography of Jaasiel or his people, but it preserves their name as part of the broader story of David’s reign.
For readers today, this detail reminds us that God’s work often involves many hands. The leadership of Israel was not limited to one family or region; it included men like Jaasiel who stood ready to serve. Their loyalty helped establish a time of stability for the nation. We see here that ordinary people, from various backgrounds, played essential roles in supporting God’s chosen leaders.
This single verse highlights the value of every contributor. Whether we know their names or not, those who support leadership and community are part of something larger than themselves. The Bible records these details to show that God uses diverse people for His purposes. It is a quiet encouragement that our service, however small it may seem, matters in the grand story of faith.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ Mezobaite1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/מְּצֹבָיָֽה\׃\ \פ1×