מַשׁ (mash)
mash
Mash
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
Mash is a proper name appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible, listed among the descendants of Shem in Genesis 10:23. He is identified as a son of Aram and brother to Uz, Hul, and Gether. This brief genealogical entry places him within the early patriarchal period, linking him to the broader family line that includes many nations known to the ancient Near East.
The name is also rendered as Meshech in 1 Chronicles 1:17, showing how variations in spelling or transliteration occurred over time. While some sources suggest a meaning like "drawn out," this etymology is not certain. The primary significance of Mash lies in its role within the Table of Nations, helping to map the ethnic and geographical connections of the ancient world rather than conveying a specific theological concept.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Genesis 10:23 lists Mash among the sons of Aram, placing him in a genealogy that maps the early nations of the ancient world. This entry is not about personal virtue or moral instruction but about historical connection. It shows how families and tribes were linked through common ancestry.
For your faith, this reminds us that God’s plan includes all peoples and regions. Even names that appear only once are part of a larger story. We do not need to know every detail to trust the One who holds history together. Your place in God’s family is secure, regardless of how much background information you have.
Genealogies like this one help us see the breadth of creation. They show that no lineage is too small or obscure for God’s record. We can find comfort in knowing that every name has a place in His account.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Mash1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וָ/מַֽשׁ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:23
The sons of Aram were: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.
This verse places Mash as a son of Aram, linking him to Uz, Hul, and Gether in the Table of Nations.