A man from the time of the patriarchs, son of Ishmael and grandson of Abraham, first mentioned in Genesis 25:14.
About Massa
Ishmael’s seventh son and Abraham’s grandson (Gn 25:14; 1 Chr 1:30). His descendants inhabited northwestern Arabia. Tiglath-pileser III mentions these people, along with the inhabitants of Tema (cf. Gn 25:15) and others who were ruled by him and paid tribute to him. The people of Tema probably were descendants of Massa’s brother Tema.
Massa forms part of the titles of Proverbs 30:1 and 31:1. The definite article precedes it in 30:1 and can be translated “the burden” or “the oracle.” It is frequently used in prophetic passages in the ominous sense of God’s impending judgment (Is 13:1; Na 1:1; Hb 1:1).
Family Relationships
- Parents
- Ishmael
- Half-siblings 12
- Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Hadad (Genesis 25:15), Tema, Jetur, Naphish, Kedemah, Mahalath
- Niece/Nephew
- Reuel
- Uncles 7
- Isaac, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, Shuah
- Cousins 9
- Esau, Israel, Sheba (Genesis 25:3), Dedan (Genesis 25:3), Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, Eldaah
Key References
Mishma, Dumah, Massa,
Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,
All Scripture References (2)
Genesis (1)
Mishma, Dumah, Massa,
1 Chronicles (1)
Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,