Lexical Summary Mishael: Mishael Original Word: מִישָׁאֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mishael From miy and 'el with the abbrev. Insep. Relatively (see 'aher) interposed; who (is) what God (is)?; Mishael, the name of three Israelites -- Mishael. see HEBREW miy see HEBREW 'el see HEBREW 'aher NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom mi and el Definition "Who is what God is?" three Isr. NASB Translation Mishael (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִישָׁאֵל proper name, masculine (Who is what God is ? Ass. form., compare ׃מְתוּשָׁאֵל note also in Thothmes' list of towns Bai-ti-š-°-ra, i.e probably בֵּיתְשָׁאֵל, Hebrew בֵּיתְאֵל WMMAs.Eur.193): — 1 a cousin of Moses Exodus 6:22; Leviticus 10:4 (P). 2 one of Daniel's companions Daniel 1:5,7,11,19 + Daniel 2:17 (Aramaic), elsewhere in with 2-3 called מֵישַׁךְ (Daniel 1:7). 3 Nehemiah 8:4. מִישָׁאֵל proper name, masculine (= Biblical Hebrew id., 2, below מִי); — Daniel 2..:17. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Overview The name מִישָׁאֵל (Mishael) expresses the confession “Who is like God?”—a rhetorical declaration of the Lord’s unique majesty. Scripture attaches the name to three distinct men whose lives highlight holiness, covenant fidelity, and steadfast witness under pressure. 1. Mishael Son of Uzziel (Exodus 6:22; Leviticus 10:4) A cousin of Moses and Aaron, he belonged to the Levitical clan of Kohath. His most memorable appearance occurs amid divine judgment on Nadab and Abihu. Moses commands him and his brother Elzaphan, “Come here, carry your brothers outside the camp, away from the front of the sanctuary” (Leviticus 10:4). Their quiet obedience contrasts sharply with the presumption that had provoked the judgment, underscoring the non-negotiable holiness of the sanctuary and the necessity of reverent service by those nearest it. That Mishael was entrusted with this somber duty attests both to his ceremonial purity and to the solemn responsibility borne by all Levites to guard the sacred space. 2. Mishael the Reformer’s Companion (Nehemiah 8:4) Generations later a man of the same name stands on Ezra’s platform as the Law is publicly read in Jerusalem. His presence among the thirteen assistants signifies communal renewal after exile; he helps ensure the word is heard “clearly” (Nehemiah 8:8). Though little else is recorded of him, the placement of a Mishael beside Ezra situates him in the great revival that re-centered Judah on Scripture, prayer, and covenant obedience. The appearance of the name again in a context of reverence for God’s word reinforces its confessional thrust: no earthly ruler rivals the Lord. 3. Mishael (Meshach) in Babylon (Daniel 1:6-19; cf. Daniel 2–3) Taken captive from Judah’s nobility, Mishael is trained for service in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. The chief official renames him Meshach, attempting to subsume his identity under Babylonian gods, yet the narrative continues to acknowledge his Hebrew name when stressing covenant faithfulness (Daniel 1:6, 11, 19). Theological and Ministry Themes 1. Holiness Safeguarded. The earliest Mishael models reverence in handling sacred matters, reminding every generation that proximity to holy things heightens, not lessens, accountability. Key References Exodus 6:22; Leviticus 10:4; Nehemiah 8:4; Daniel 1:6-7, 11, 19 (see also Daniel 2:17; Daniel 3:12-30 under his Babylonian name, Meshach). Forms and Transliterations וּלְמִֽישָׁאֵ֣ל וּמִֽישָׁאֵ֧ל ולמישאל ומישאל מִֽישָׁאֵ֖ל מִֽישָׁאֵ֥ל מִֽישָׁאֵל֙ מישאל mî·šā·’êl mîšā’êl mishaEl ū·lə·mî·šā·’êl ū·mî·šā·’êl ūləmîšā’êl ulemishaEl ūmîšā’êl umishaElLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 6:22 HEB: וּבְנֵ֖י עֻזִּיאֵ֑ל מִֽישָׁאֵ֥ל וְאֶלְצָפָ֖ן וְסִתְרִֽי׃ NAS: of Uzziel: Mishael and Elzaphan KJV: of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, INT: the sons of Uzziel Mishael and Elzaphan and Sithri Leviticus 10:4 Nehemiah 8:4 Daniel 1:6 Daniel 1:7 Daniel 1:11 Daniel 1:19 7 Occurrences |
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