מְשֻׁלֶּ֫מֶת (me.shul.le.met)
me.shul.le.met
Meshullemeth
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Meshullemeth appears only once in Scripture, at 2 Kings 21:19, identifying her as the wife of King Manasseh and the mother of King Amon. She is recorded as the daughter of Haruz from Jotbah. The text provides no narrative details about her life or character; she exists in the biblical record solely to establish the royal lineage leading to Josiah.
Linguistically, Meshullemeth derives from the Hebrew root shalom, meaning peace or wholeness. The form suggests a meaning like "one who is at peace" or "friend." While the name carries a positive connotation of harmony, its only occurrence is in a genealogical list that highlights the spiritual decline of Judah’s kings. Her presence in the text serves as a factual marker in the royal succession rather than a subject of theological instruction.
This single mention underscores how biblical genealogies function as historical anchors. By naming Meshullemeth, the chronicler confirms the legitimacy of Amon’s reign and, by extension, the subsequent reforms of his son Josiah. The name itself, meaning peace, stands in quiet contrast to the turmoil that characterized Manasseh’s long rule, offering a subtle linguistic irony within the royal records.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Meshullemeth appears only once in Scripture, tucked into a genealogical list in 2 Kings 21:19. She is identified simply as the wife of King Manasseh and the mother of King Amon. The text gives us no story about her daily life, her prayers, or her character. Yet, her name carries a quiet weight. Derived from the root for peace, it suggests wholeness and harmony.
Her presence in the biblical record serves as a historical anchor. By naming her, the writer confirms the legitimacy of the royal line that leads to Josiah, the king who would later restore true worship in Judah. This single mention reminds us that God’s plan unfolds through ordinary names and family lines. Even in times of spiritual decline, the faithful preservation of lineage points toward future hope.
For your faith, this word invites you to trust in God’s broader story. You may feel like a small part of a larger narrative, but every name recorded matters. Meshullemeth’s inclusion shows that God remembers those who stand behind the scenes. Her life, though unrecorded, contributes to the lineage of Christ. In your own journey, find comfort in knowing that your quiet faithfulness is seen and valued by God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was] Meshullemeth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְשֻׁלֶּ֥מֶת1×
Key Verses
-
II Kings 21:19
Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.
This verse establishes Meshullemeth as the mother of King Amon, anchoring the royal lineage that leads to Josiah.