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Meaning and etymology of the name Methushael




Methushael Methushael


Methushael is the son of Mehujael, the son of Irad, the son of Enoch, the son of Cain (Genesis 4:18). That means that Methushael is the fourth generation after Cain. This is significant because God's curses tend to mellow out after four generations (Deuteronomy 5:9). Methushael's son is Lamech the First, and the latter became the father of those who live in tents and play instruments; both traits closely associated with the Tabernacle (Genesis 4:20-21).

Traditionally the name Methushael is explained as follows:

The final part of the name is el (El 93) and the first part comes from mat (mat), which is one of a few words to denote man or mankind, and used most often to indicate a male capable of combat. There is an obvious and grim connection with the word mut (mut), to die; corpse.

However, in between mat and el stands the letter shin, which the traditional explanation ignores. But it is too dominant a letter to just show up and not alter meaning (such as is the case in some occurrences of waw, he and yod). Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names thinks it comes from the word Asher (asher) meaning to go straight on, but does not incorporate this idea in his final translation. Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names and NOBS Study Bible Name List both read Man Of God.

The shin as particle is interrogative: who, which, or where, what? It's also used as conjecture: that, because. Or to indicate the genitive. Reading a particle for shin the name becomes: I'm A Mortal; Where's God?

Another solution shows when we all together depart from the idea that every el must relate to God. The word shaal (sha'al) means to ask, inquire, borrow, beg (see Saul). Derivatives: sheela (she'la) means request, demand. sheol (she'ol 2303c), curiously enough is the famous word Sheol, meaning grave, pit, or in some applications, hell.
Then there is the word matay (matay), meaning when.

Methushael is a wonderfully poetic name with lots of meanings: Man Of God; I'm Mortal, Where's God?; Man Of Inquisition or Requested Man (the Man We Wanted). And it also means When Requested.

Other names that incorporate the word mut are Ahimoth, Azmaveth, Hazermaveth and Methuselah.






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