Meshillemith is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Meshillemith was a Levite who served during the reign of King Hezekiah, as recorded in 1 Chronicles. He appears in a genealogy of priests and Levites who were registered by ancestry for their service in the house of the LORD. The passage in which he is named lists the descendants of Immer, one of the priestly divisions established for temple ministry. Meshillemith is identified as the son of Immer and the father of Meshullam, placing him within a lineage that stretched across generations of faithful service.
The setting of Meshillemith’s mention is the reorganization of temple worship that took place under King Hezekiah. After a period of neglect and idolatry in Judah, Hezekiah restored the temple, purified it, and reestablished the courses of priests and Levites so that worship could be conducted according to the Law. First Chronicles 9 records the genealogies of those who lived in Jerusalem and served in the temple, including the priests, gatekeepers, and other Levites. Meshillemith’s family line is listed among the priests, indicating that his descendants were counted worthy to serve at the altar.
Scripture says nothing more about Meshillemith beyond his name in this single genealogy. He is not recorded as performing any particular deed, speaking any words, or holding any distinctive office. His significance lies in the fact that he was part of a lineage set apart for the service of God, and that his name was preserved among those who returned to faithful worship in Hezekiah’s day. He stands as one link in a chain of priestly service that spanned generations.
The Name
The name Meshillemith is a Hebrew name, and its meaning is not clearly recoverable from the biblical text or from standard lexical sources. It appears to be related to the Hebrew root *shalam*, which carries the sense of “to be complete,” “to be at peace,” or “to make restitution,” and it may share a connection with the name Meshullam, which is often understood to mean “friend” or “one who is at peace.” However, the precise form and meaning of Meshillemith itself are uncertain, and no well-established definition can be given with confidence. It is best to acknowledge that the meaning of this name is obscure rather than to assign it a meaning that the text does not support.
A Closing Thought
Meshillemith never speaks, never acts, and never appears again after this single verse. Yet his name is written in the book of God’s remembrance, preserved among the generations who kept the lamp of worship burning in Jerusalem. Most of us will not be remembered for great deeds or public renown. Like Meshillemith, we may be known only to God and to those who come after us. But faithfulness in a single generation is not forgotten by the LORD. He remembers the quiet servants who simply stood in their place and passed the faith along.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: Old
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- 1 Chronicles 9:12 — And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchijah, and Maasiai the son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer;