מִשְׁמָע (mish.ma)
mish.ma
Mishma
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Mishma, meaning "a hearing," appears in two distinct biblical lineages, linking the era of the Patriarchs to the time of the Divided Monarchy. In Genesis 25:14, he is listed as one of the twelve sons of Ishmael, a brother to figures like Nebaioth and Kedar. This placement identifies him within the ancestral roots of Arab tribes, marking his family’s presence in the ancient Near East during the time of Abraham.
Centuries later, the same name surfaces in 1 Chronicles 4:25 among the descendants of Simeon. Here, Mishma is the son of Mibsam and father of Hammuel, serving as a link in the genealogical records that trace the tribe’s history through Judah. Though these two individuals are separated by generations and tribal lines, the recurrence of this specific name highlights how personal identities were preserved within Israel’s historical memory.
The etymology of Mishma connects it to the root for hearing or listening, a concept that carries weight in biblical narrative where attention to divine instruction is paramount. While the text does not elaborate on their personal deeds, the mere preservation of these names in Scripture underscores the importance of lineage and continuity in the biblical witness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mishma carries the simple, grounded meaning of "hearing." In Scripture, names often reflect a person’s role or a family’s hope, and this one points to the importance of listening. It appears in Genesis among the sons of Ishmael, linking Abraham’s broader family tree to the ancient tribes of the Near East. Centuries later, it reappears in Chronicles among the descendants of Simeon, tracing the lineage of Judah’s tribe.
What stands out is not a grand story attached to these individuals, but their quiet presence in the record. Their names were kept, suggesting that every voice and every line mattered to God’s historical narrative. For us, this reminds us that being part of God’s people involves more than just speaking; it requires attentive listening. Whether in the vastness of ancestral roots or the specific details of tribal records, the act of hearing connects us to a larger, enduring story.
This word invites us to consider how we listen—to others and to divine instruction. In a noisy world, preserving these names shows that attention is a form of honor. It encourages a faith life rooted in careful observation and respectful remembrance, trusting that every detail in Scripture has its place in the whole.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Mishma3×
- and/ Mishma1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִשְׁמָ֥ע1×
- מִשְׁמָ֣ע1×
- מִשְׁמָ֑ע1×
- וּ/מִשְׁמָ֥ע1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 25:14
Mishma, Dumah, Massa,
This verse places Mishma within Ishmael’s lineage, showing how the name connects to the broader ancestral roots of Arab tribes during Abraham’s time.
-
I Chronicles 4:25
Shallum his son, Mibsam his son, and Mishma his son.
Here the name appears in Simeon’s genealogy, serving as a specific link between Mibsam and his son Hammuel in Judah’s tribal history.
-
I Chronicles 4:26
The sons of Mishma: Hammuel his son, Zaccur his son, Shimei his son.
This occurrence lists Mishma’s own sons, demonstrating how the name functioned to preserve family identity across generations within the tribe of Simeon.