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Meshach or Mishael

 

Harper’s Bible Dictionary

edited by Paul J. Achtemier (San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1985)

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Meshach, the Babylonian name given to Mishael, one of Daniel’s three companions (Dan. 1:7). The etymology is uncertain, but a relation to Marduk, the god of Babylon has been suggested.

Mishael (Heb., ‘who is what El [God] is?’). 1 The son of Uzziel of the Kohathite clan of Levites (Exod. 6:22; Lev. 10:4). 2 One, probably a Levite, who stood with Ezra as he read the law (Neh. 8:4). 3 The Hebrew name of one of the young men taken captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzer along with Daniel; he was given the Babylonian name Meshach (Dan. 1:6-7; 2:17).

 

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