Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning:The name "Massa" is derived from the Hebrew word "מַשָּׂא" (Massah), which means "burden" or "oracle." It is often associated with a sense of carrying a weight or responsibility, and in some contexts, it can imply a divine message or pronouncement.
Biblical References:Massa is mentioned in the genealogies of the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the descendants of Ishmael. In
Genesis 25:13-15 , Massa is listed as one of the sons of Ishmael: "These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah." This passage highlights Massa as one of the twelve princes, each representing a tribe, who were the progeny of Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar.
Historical and Cultural Context:Massa, as a descendant of Ishmael, is traditionally considered to be part of the Arab tribes that settled in the northern Arabian Peninsula. The Ishmaelites, including the tribe of Massa, were known for their nomadic lifestyle, often engaging in trade and commerce across the region. The mention of Massa in the genealogies underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that Ishmael would become a great nation (
Genesis 17:20).
Theological Significance:The inclusion of Massa in the biblical genealogies serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Despite Ishmael not being the child of promise through whom the covenant would be established (that role belonged to Isaac), God still honored His word to make Ishmael a father of twelve princes and a great nation. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty and His ability to work through various lineages and peoples to accomplish His divine purposes.
Related References and Interpretations:In
1 Chronicles 1:29-31 , the chronicler reiterates the genealogy of Ishmael, including Massa, emphasizing the continuity and importance of these lineages in the history of Israel and its neighboring nations. The chronicler's account serves to remind the readers of the interconnectedness of the peoples in the biblical narrative and the unfolding of God's plan through diverse groups.
Extra-Biblical References:While the Bible provides limited information about Massa beyond the genealogical listings, some historical and archaeological sources suggest that the descendants of Massa may have been part of the larger network of Arabian tribes that interacted with the ancient Near Eastern civilizations. These interactions would have included trade, cultural exchanges, and occasional conflicts, contributing to the complex tapestry of the region's history.
Conclusion:The entry for Massa in a Bible Encyclopedia or Topical Bible highlights the significance of this figure within the broader context of biblical history and theology. As a son of Ishmael, Massa represents one of the many threads in the intricate narrative of God's dealings with humanity, showcasing His faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises across generations.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Massaa burden; prophecy
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Massa(burden), a son of Ishmael. (Genesis 26:14;1 Chronicles 1:30) His descendants were not improbably theMasani , placed by Ptolemy in the east of Arabia, near the borders of Babylonia.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A lifting up, gift, one of the sons of Ishmael, the founder of an Arabian tribe (
Genesis 25:14); a nomad tribe inhabiting the Arabian desert toward Babylonia.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MASSAmas'-a (massa', "burden"): Descendant of Abraham through Ishmael (Genesis 25:141 Chronicles 1:30). His people may be the Masani of Ptolemy, having Eastern Arabia near Babylon as their habitat. The marginal reading of the heading toProverbs 31 mentions Lemuel as king of Massa. If that reading is accepted, it would seem that a tribe and probably a place were named from Ishmael's descendant. The reading is doubtful, however, for where the phrase recurs inProverbs 30 (Revised Version (British and American)) it appears to be a gloss.
Strong's Hebrew
4854.Massa -- a son of Ishmael, also the realm of King Lemuel... 4853b, 4854.
Massa. 4855 . a son of Ishmael, also the realm of King Lemuel.
Transliteration:
Massa Phonetic Spelling: (mas-saw') Short Definition:
Massa.
...4551b.massa -- a missile, dart
... 4551a, 4551b.massa. 4552 . a missile, dart. Transliteration:massa Short
Definition: dart.... 4551a, 4551b.massa. 4552 . Strong's Numbers.
4550.massa -- a pulling up, breaking (camp), setting out, a...
...massa. 4551 . a pulling up, breaking (camp), setting out, a journey. Transliteration:
massa Phonetic Spelling: (mas-sah') Short Definition: journeys....
4551a.massa -- a quarry or quarrying
... 4551, 4551a.massa. 4551b . a quarry or quarrying. Transliteration:massa Short
Definition: quarry.... 4551, 4551a.massa. 4551b . Strong's Numbers.
4853a.massa -- a load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute
... 4853, 4853a.massa. 4853b . a load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute.
Transliteration:massa Short Definition: burden.... 4853, 4853a.massa. 4853b ....
4853b.massa -- utterance, oracle
... 4853a, 4853b.massa. 4854 . utterance, oracle. Transliteration:massa Short
Definition: oracle.... 4853a, 4853b.massa. 4854 . Strong's Numbers.
4853.massa' -- a load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute
...massa'. 4853a . a load, burden, lifting, bearing, tribute. Transliteration:massa'
Phonetic Spelling: (mas-saw') Short Definition: burden....massa'. 4853a ....
3927. Lemuel -- king ofMassa
... 3926, 3927. Lemuel or Lemoel. 3928 . king ofMassa. Transliteration: Lemuel
or Lemoel Phonetic Spelling: (lem-oo-ale') Short Definition: Lemuel....
Library
How Brother James DellaMassa Saw in a vision all the Friars Minor...
... HERE BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPTER XLVIII HOW BROTHER
JAMES DELLAMASSA SAW IN A VISION ALL THE FRIARS MINOR IN THE WORLD IN THE...
Sambo and the Infidel Judge.
...Massa, I dunno." The Judge always carried a gun along with him for hunting....
But,massa, you are a dead duck"dar is no squabble for you....
Liberty.
... LIBERTY. Old Samba and "Massa." A friend of mine said he was down in Natchez
before the war, and he and a friend of his went out...
Of the Holy Brother James of Fallerone, and How, after his Death...
... was dangerously ill in the Convent of Moliano, in the custody of Fermo, Brother
John of Alvernia, who was then living in the Convent ofMassa, hearing of his...
"Liberty Now and Forever. "
... When I go to my oldmassa he says I ain't free, and when I go to my own people
they say I is, and I don't know whether I'm free or not....
The Races --A Letter
... 'Yes,massa, very nice ball. Plenty of pretty ladies,massa.'. 'Why did you not
ask me, John?... 'Ah,massa: when cockroach give a ball, him no ask da fowls.'....
The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... Beyond the limits of the Holy Land, close by Dumah, lay the land or district of
Massa (Genesis 25:14), one of the original seats of the Ishmaelites (1...
Sincere Seekers Assured Finders
... He was back in a short time; and his master said, "Sam, you have not gone with that
letter." "No,massa." "Why not?" "Massa couldn't expect Sam to do...
Faith
... morning he called Cuffey, and said, "I do not want to quarrel with you, my man,
but I'll have no praying on my premises: so you just drop it." "Massa," said he...
Moody's Stories
... "Sambo, how old are you?". "I don't know,massa. I guess I'se about eighty.". "Can
you read?". "No, sah; we don't read in dis country. It's agin the law."....
Thesaurus
Massa (4 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MASSA. mas'-a (
massa', "burden"): Descendant of Abraham
through Ishmael (Genesis 25:14 1 Chronicles 1:30).
...Massa (4 Occurrences).
...Burden (111 Occurrences)
... 1. In the Old Testament: In the Old Testament more than one word is rendered "burden."
(1)massa', from a root nasa' "he lifted up." Thus literally any load is...
Jakeh (1 Occurrence)
... The immediate connection in the Hebrew text of ha-massa', "the prophecy" or "burden"
(the King James Version "even the prophecy," the Revised Version (British...
Lemuel (3 Occurrences)
... Instead of translating the word after this name as "oracle" some propose to leave
it as a proper name, translating "king ofMassa," and referring for his...
Dumah (4 Occurrences)
... Thomas Hunter Weir. Multi-Version Concordance Dumah (4 Occurrences). Genesis
25:14 Mishma, Dumah,Massa, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Mishma (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Mishma (4 Occurrences). Genesis 25:14 Mishma, Dumah,
Massa, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... Yet over this peculiar plea is placed the word "Massa" (ha-massa'); "burden" or
"oracle," the term used for prophetic disclosures; and the word for "said...
Oracle (57 Occurrences)
... such passages as Isaiah 13:1, "oracle" is used in the titles of certain special
prophecies as a substitute for BURDEN (which see) (massa'), with considerable...
Tema (5 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Chronicles 1:30 Mishma, and Dumah,
Massa, Hadad, and Tema, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Tribute (67 Occurrences)
... for Yahweh on acquired spoils are mekhec, "assessment" (Numbers 31:28, 37, 38, 39,
40, 41), belo, "excise" (Ezra 4:13, 10 Nehemiah 7:24),massa', "burden" (2...
Resources
Who are the descendants of Ishmael? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
