A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | Z | Introduction

Ma | Mac | Mah | Mal | Man | Mar | Mat | Me | Meh | Mel | Men | Mer | Mes | Met | Mi | Mic | Mil | Mis | Mn | Mo | Mu

This guide is intended for visitors who want to learn more about the Bible. Please use the hyperlinks in the table above to navigate this page. If you have any comments or suggestions to make about this guide, please e-mail me by clicking on this link.

Maacah (1) was the fourth child of Nahor and his concubine, Reumah. Genesis 22.24

Maacah (2) was the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, the wife of David and mother of Absalom. 2 Samuel 3.3; 1 Chronicles 3.2

Maacah (3) was the daughter of Abishalom, and wife (mother in 1 Kings 15.2) of Abijam. Asa, her son, deposed her from her office of queen mother because of her idolatry. 1 Kings 15.2, 10, 13; 2 Chronicles 15.16

Maacah (4) was the daughter of Absalom and favourite wife of Rehoboam. She became the mother of Abijah, Attai, Ziza and Shelomith, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 11.20, 21

Maacah (5; the king of) was a petty tribal chieftain hired by the Ammonites to fight against David. The Israelites led by Joab, defeated the king of Maacah, along with his Syrian and Ammonite allies. 2 Samuel 10.6-14

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Maaseiah (1) was a Levitical musician of David's court, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 15.18, 20

Maaseiah (2) was the son of Adaiah, an ally of Jehoiada in his rebellion against Athaliah, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 23.1

Maaseiah (3) was an officer in the army of Azariah, one of those responsible for the muster of the king's forces, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 26.11

Maaseiah (4) was the son of Ahaz. According to the Chronicler, the Ephraimite Zichri killed him during Judah's defeat at the hands of Pekah. 2 Chronicles 28.7

Maaseiah (5) was the Governor of Jerusalem, in Josiah's administration, one of those appointed by the king to undertake the repair of the temple, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 34.8

Maaseiah (6) was an assistant of Ezra, one of those in attendance at the public reading from the book of the law. Nehemiah 8.4, 7

Maaseiah (7) was the name of one (repeated) or two of the priests who assisted Nehemiah in his festival of dedication of the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 12.41, 42

Maaseiah (8) was the father of the priest Zephaniah. Jeremiah 21.1

Maaseiah (9) was the son of Shallum, a temple warden in the reign of Jehoiakim. Jeremiah 35.4

Maath was the son of Mattathias, the father of Naggai and an ancestor of Joseph in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.26

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Machir (1) was the son of Manasseh, the grandson of Joseph and father of Gilead. Genesis 50.23; Numbers 26.29; 32.39, 40; Deuteronomy 3.15; Joshua 13.31; 17.1; 1 Chronicles 7.14-16

Machir (2) was the son of Ammiel. Machir looked after Mephibosheth before he was promoted to the royal household. During Absalom's revolt, M., together with Shobi and Barzillai, brought provisions to David in his camp at Mahanaim. 2 Samuel 9.4, 5; 17.27-29

Madai was the third son of Japheth, a grandson of Noah. Genesis 10.2; 1 Chronicles 1.5

Madon (the king of) was a petty tribal chieftain defeated by Joshua. Joshua 12.19

Magdiel was an Edomite chief, a descendant of Esau. Genesis 36.43; 1 Chronicles 1.54

Magog was the second son of Japheth, a grandson of Noah. Genesis 10.2; 1 Chronicles 1.5

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Mahalalel was the son of Cainan, a descendant of Seth and the father of Jared. Mahalalel lived eight hundred and ninety-five years. Genesis 5.12-17; Luke 3.37

Mahalath (1) was the daughter of Ishmael, the granddaughter of Abraham and one of the wives of Esau. Genesis 28.9

Mahalath (2) was the daughter of Jerimoth and Abihail, the granddaughter of David, wife of Rehoboam and mother of Jeush, Shemariah and Zaham, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 11.18, 19

Maharai was a Netophathite, a soldier of David's bodyguard, of which he was commander for one month annually, according to the Chronicler. 2 Samuel 23.28; 1 Chronicles 11.30; 27.13

Mahath was the son of Amasai, an assistant of Hezekiah in his cleansing of the temple, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 29.12; 31.13

Mahershalalhashbaz was Isaiah's son. The name means “the spoil speeds, the prey hastes”. It is explained by Isaiah's conviction that Israel and Syria would fall to the Assyrians before the boy was old enough to know his parents. Isaiah 8.1, 3, 4

Mahlah was the eldest of the daughters of Zelophehad. Numbers 26.33; 27.1; 36.11; Joshua 17.3, 4

Mahli was the elder son of Merari, grandson of Levi and father of Eleazar and Kish. Exodus 6.19; Numbers 3.20; 1 Chronicles 6.19; 23.21; 24.26, 28

Mahlon was the son of Elimelech and Naomi, the first husband of Ruth. Ruth 1.2, 4, 5; 4.9, 10

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Makkedah (the king of) was a petty tribal chieftain defeated by Joshua during Israel's conquest of Canaan. Joshua 12.16

Malachi was an Old Testament prophet, the author of the book which bears his name, though this (as it means “my messenger”) may be a pseudonym. Malachi condemns Israel for its corruption, and insists on a return to purity of life and worship. Malachi 1.1-4.6

Malchiah (1) was the father of Pashhur, a prince of Judah, perhaps the same as Zedekiah's son of this name (below). Jeremiah 21.1; 38.1

Malchiah (2) was the son of Zedekiah, a prince of Judah and owner of a cistern into which Jeremiah was cast. Jeremiah 38.6

Malchiel was the second son of Beriah and a grandson of Asher. Genesis 46.17; Numbers 26.45; 1 Chronicles 7.31

Malchijah (1) was the son of Harim, a worker with Nehemiah and Eliashib on the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3.11

Malchijah (2) was the son of Rechab, a worker with Nehemiah and Eliashib on the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3.14

Malchijah (3) was a goldsmith, a worker with Nehemiah and Eliashib on the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3.31

Malchijah (4) was an assistant of Ezra, present at his reading to the people from the book of the law. Nehemiah 8.4

Malchijah (5) was an assistant of Nehemiah in the service of dedication of the restored walls of Jerusalem, possibly the same as one of those (above) named in Nehemiah, chapter 3. Nehemiah 12.42

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Malchishua was the third son of Saul. The Philistines killed him with his brothers on Mt. Gilboa. 1 Samuel 14.49; 31.2; 1 Chronicles 8.33; 9.39; 10.2

Malchus was the slave of Caiaphas, according to John. In the struggle that followed Jesus' arrest, Peter cut off Malchus's ear. Luke, who does not give the slave's name, records that Jesus restored his ear. Luke 22.50, 51; John 18.10

Mamre was an Amorite, an ally of Abraham in his brief campaign against the four chieftains led by Chedorlaomer. Genesis 14.13, 24

Manaen was a member of the court of Herod the Tetrarch, and a Christian from Antioch. Acts 13.1

Manahath was the second son of Shobal, a descendant of Seir. Genesis 36.23; 1 Chronicles 1.40

Manasseh (1) was the first-born son of Joseph, the elder brother of Ephraim, the father of Machir and the ancestor of the tribe named after him. This was eventually eclipsed by the tribe descended from his brother, in fulfilment of Jacob's death-bed blessing of his grandchildren. Manasseh's name means, “making to forget”. Genesis 41.50, 51; 46.20; 48.1-20; 50.23; Numbers 26.28-34; 1 Chronicles 7.14

Manasseh (2) was the son of Hezekiah, the father of Amon and king of Judah (ca. 687-642 B.C.). He was notorious for his idolatry and superstition, and participation in child-sacrifice. According to the Chronicler, Manasseh was taken into captivity in Babylon, where he repented of his former misdeeds and reformed his character. However, his notoriety led to popular unrest, which issued in an uprising shortly after his death, and his son Amon was assassinated. 2 Kings 20.21-21.18, 20; 23.12, 26; 1 Chronicles 3.13; 2 Chronicles 32.33-33.20, 22, 23; Jeremiah 15.4; Matthew 1.10

Manoah was a Danite, the father of Samson, whose birth was announced by an angel to Manoah and his hitherto barren wife. Judges 13.2-23; 14.2-6, 9, 10, 19; 16.31

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Mark was a companion of Paul and of Peter, perhaps the same as John Mark in Acts. Colossians 4.10; 2 Timothy 4.11; Philemon 24; 1 Peter 5.13

Marsena was one of the seven privy counsellors of Ahasuerus whom the king consulted following Vashti's disobedience. Esther 1.14

Martha was the sister of Lazarus and Mary of Bethany, a friend of Jesus. He rebuked her for her elaborate preparations for him, and her complaining at her sister's reluctance to help with these. Jesus approved Mary's readiness to listen to his teaching. Luke 10.38-42; John 11.1-44; 12.2

Mary (1) was the wife of Joseph, and mother of Jesus. Apart from the accounts of Jesus' nativity given by Matthew and Luke, she appears only briefly in the gospels. Luke records Mary's visitation by the angel Gabriel announcing the birth of Christ, and what she said to her cousin Elizabeth (sometimes known as the “Magnificat”, from the first word in the Latin version). In Mark's gospel Mary briefly appears with others of her family, trying to stop Jesus' ministry. John's gospel gives an account of Jesus' instruction to the apostle John to regard Mary as his mother after the crucifixion (suggesting that by this time she was a widow). Matthew 1.16, 18-25; 2.11-14; 13.55; Mark 6.3; Luke 1.27-56; 2.5-51; John 2.1-5, 12; 19.25-27

Mary (2) was the wife of Clopas, the mother of James, Joses and Salome. She was present at the crucifixion, and accompanied her daughter and Mary Magdalene to Jesus' tomb on the morning of the resurrection. Matthew 27.56; 28.1-10; Mark 15.40, 47; 16.1-8; Luke 24.10; John 19.25

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Mary (3), sometimes known as Mary Magdalene was a follower of Jesus. The second name denotes the district (Magdala) from which she came - perhaps this seemed unusual, or was a convenient way to distinguish her from Mary the wife of Clopas. Mary apparently owed her loyalty to Jesus in the first place because of his exorcising her of seven evil spirits. She was a witness to the crucifixion, and seems to have been the organiser and accepted leader of the small group of women who went to anoint - Jesus's body on the morning of the resurrection. Mary was the first to inform the other disciples that the tomb was empty. John's gospel contains an account of Jesus' appearance to Mary, after the resurrection, in the garden where the tomb was located. In this account Mary at first did not recognise Jesus, but did so when he spoke to her. Matthew 27.56; 28.1-10; Mark 15.40, 41, 47; 16.1-11; Luke 8.2; 24.10, 11; John 19.25; 20.1-18

Mary (4) was the mother of John Mark, the owner of a house that became a meeting place for the Christians of Jerusalem. Acts 12.12

Mary (5) was an associate of Paul, named in the greetings with which his letter to the Romans ends. Romans 16.6

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Mash was the fourth son of Aram, a grandson of Shem. Genesis 10.23

Massa was the seventh son of Ishmael. Genesis 25.14; 1 Chronicles 1.30

Mattan was the priest of Baal in Judah during the reign of Athaliah. After Jehoiada's revolt the people of Judah killed Mattan. 2 Kings 11.18; 2 Chronicles 23.17

Mattaniah (1) was the original name of Zedekiah of Judah. 2 Kings 24.17

Mattaniah (2) was a descendant of Asaph, a Levite who assisted in the cleansing of the temple sponsored by Hezekiah, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 29.13

Mattatha was the son of Nathan, the father of Menna and an ancestor of Joseph in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.31

Mattathias (1) was the son of Amos, an ancestor of (Mary's husband) Joseph and the father of (another) Joseph, in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.25

Mattathias (2) was the son of Semein, father of Maath and an ancestor of Joseph in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.26

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Matthan was the son of Eleazar, the father of Jacob and grandfather of Joseph, in Matthew's genealogy. Matthew 1.15

Matthat (1) was the son of Levi, father of Heli and grandfather of Joseph in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.24

Matthat (2) was the son of Levi, father of Jorim and an ancestor of Joseph, in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.29

Matthew (2), also known as Levi, was a tax-collector, the son of Alphaeus. He was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, who was much criticised for his association with him. Matthew 9.9; 10.3; Mark 2.14; 3.18; Luke 5.27-32; 6.15; Acts 1.13

Matthias was the thirteenth apostle, chosen by lot to take the place of Judas Iscariot among the twelve. Acts 1.23-26

Mattithiah (1) was a Levitical musician, one of those who helped to celebrate David's bringing of the ark to Jerusalem, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 15.18; 16.5

Mattithiah (2) was an assistant of Ezra, one of those in attendance at his public reading from the book of the law. Nehemiah 8.4

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Mebunnai was a Hushathite, a soldier of David's bodyguard. 2 Samuel 23.27

Medad was one of two elders of the Israelites miraculously inspired to prophesy, during the Exodus. Seventy other elders, assembled around the tent that held the ark, were moved to prophesy. Eldad and Medad, who (unlike the others) had remained within the Israelite camp, began to do likewise. Joshua complained to Moses of this ecstatic prophesying but the Israelite leader expressed approval of the zeal of the two men. Numbers 11.26-30

Medan was the third son of Abraham by his second wife, Keturah. Genesis 25.2; 1 Chronicles 1.32

Megiddo (the king of) was a petty tribal chieftain defeated by Joshua during the conquest of Canaan. Joshua 12.21

Mehetabel was the daughter of Matred, the wife of the Edomite king, Hadar. Genesis 36.39; 1 Chronicles 1.50

Mehujael was the son of Irad, the father of Methushael and a descendant of Cain. Genesis 4.18

Mehuman was one of the seven eunuchs who served Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) as chamberlains. Esther 1.10

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Melatiah was a Gibeonite, an assistant of Nehemiah in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3.7

Melchi (1) was the son of Jannai, the father of Levi, and an ancestor of Joseph, in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.24

Melchi (2) was the son of Addi, father of Neri and an ancestor of Joseph, in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.28

Melchizedek was a priest and king of Salem, who greeted Abraham as he returned from his victory over Chedorlaomer and his allies. In return for a blessing, Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe of his spoils. The writer of Hebrews saw Melchizedek as a precursor of Christ. Genesis 14.18-20; Psalms 110.4; Hebrews 5.6, 10; 6.20-7.17

Melea was the son of Menna, the father of Eliakim and an ancestor of Joseph, in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.31

Memucan was one of the seven privy counsellors of Ahasuerus (Xerxes I). Memucan suggested that the disobedient Vashti be replaced with a new queen. Esther 1.14-21

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Menahem was the son of Gadi, father of Pekahiah and king of Israel (ca. 745-738 B.C.) after Shallum, whom he killed. Menahem was an apostate who averted an Assyrian invasion by paying tribute to Pul with money levied by taxation of Israel. 2 Kings 15.14-22

Menna was the son of Mattatha, father of Melea and an ancestor of Joseph, in Luke's genealogy. Luke 3.31

Mephibosheth (1) was the son of Jonathan and father of Mica. He was lamed in childhood, when his nurse dropped him. David befriended Mephibosheth for Jonathan's sake. But during Absalom's rebellion, Mephibosheth's servant Ziba claimed that his master was hoping for David's overthrow. Mephibosheth later protested that this was an invention of Ziba, but David, unsure of his innocence, transferred half of Mephibosheth's property to Ziba. Later, when David had Saul's surviving descendants executed, he spared Mephibosheth out of regard for Jonathan. The Chronicler calls him Meribaal. 2 Samuel 4.4; 9.3-13; 16.1-4; 19.24-30; 21.7; 1 Chronicles 8.34; 9.40

Mephibosheth (2) was the son of Saul by his concubine Rizpah, one of those executed on David's orders at the request of the Gibeonites. 2 Samuel 21.8

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Merab was the daughter of Saul, promised in marriage to David but given to Adriel, to whom she bore five sons. These were later executed on David's orders, following the request of the Gibeonites for vengeance on Saul's descendants. 1 Samuel 14.49; 18.17-19; 2 Samuel 21.8

Merari was the third son of Levi, the father of Mahli and Mushi. Genesis 46.11; Exodus 6.16, 19; Numbers 3.17, 20, 33-37; 4.29-33, 42-45; 7.8; 10.17; 26.57; 1 Chronicles 6.1, 16, 19; 23.21; 24.26

Meremoth was the son of Uriah, a priest responsible for weighing and recording the amounts of gold, silver and ceremonial vessels brought back by Ezra from Persia to Jerusalem. Ezra 8.33

Meres was one of the seven privy counsellors of Ahasuerus (Xerxes I). Esther 1.14

Meribaal is the name used by the Chronicler for Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and father of Mica. He was lamed in childhood, when his nurse dropped him. David befriended Mephibosheth for Jonathan's sake. But during Absalom's rebellion, his servant Ziba claimed that his master was hoping for David's overthrow. Mephibosheth later protested that this was an invention of Ziba, but David, unsure of his innocence, transferred half of his property to Ziba. Later, when David had Saul's surviving descendants executed, he spared Mephibosheth out of regard for Jonathan. 2 Samuel 4.4; 9.3-13; 16.1-4; 19.24-30; 21.7; 1 Chronicles 8.34; 9.40

Merodach-baladan was the son of Baladan, the king of Babylon. After Hezekiah recovered from illness, he received an embassy from Merodach-baladan, perhaps sent to instigate plotting against Assyria, to which country Judah was at this time subject. Hezekiah welcomed the envoys and showed them all his treasures. Isaiah, who foresaw its dangerous consequences, disapproved of this action. 2 Kings 20.12-19; Isaiah 39.1-8

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Mesha was the king of Moab, a sheep-breeder who paid tribute in kind to Israel, but rebelled on the death of Ahab. An expeditionary force, under Jehoram of Israel and Jehoshaphat of Judah, marched against Mesah. Elishah, while criticising Jehoram, foretold victory for the allies. In the ensuing battle the Moabites were virtually over-run, but M. prevented the Israelites from pressing home their advantage by making a burnt-offering of his son. Fearing the wrath of the Moabite god Chemosh, the allies withdrew. 2 Kings 3.4-27

Meshach was the name the Babylonians gave to Mishael. He was one of the young Jews appointed to serve the king as a household steward. Along with Daniel, and his companions Hananiah and Azariah, Meshach refused to eat the ritually unclean food of the royal table, and contented himself with a vegetarian diet. Anti-Jewish feeling prompted an attack on him and his friends who, for refusing to worship an idol erected by Nebuchadnezzar, were cast into a furnace. All three miraculously survived, and after this ordeal Nebuchadnezzar forbade further interference in the freedom of Meshach and his friends to worship God. Daniel 1.6-20; 2.17, 18, 49; 3.1-30

Meshech was the sixth son of Japheth, a grandson of Noah. Genesis 10.2; 1 Chronicles 1.5

Meshelemiah was the son of Kore, a descendant of Asaph and head of a division of Levitical gatekeepers. 1 Chronicles 26.2, 9

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Meshullam (1) was a Levite, a descendant of Kohath, and one of the overseers of the workmen who repaired the temple in the reign of Josiah. 2 Chronicles 34.12

Meshullam (2) was an assistant of Ezra, one of those who accompanied him on his return to Jerusalem. Ezra 8.16-18; Nehemiah 8.4

Meshullam (3) was an ally of Jonathan and Jahzeiah, an opponent of Ezra's policy of divorcing Jews from gentile wives. Ezra 10.15

Meshullam (4) was the son of Berechiah, an assistant of Nehemiah in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3.4,30

Meshullam (5) was the son of Besodeiah, an assistant of Nehemiah in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 3.6

Meshullemeth was the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah, the wife of Manasseh and mother of Amon. 2 Kings 21.19

Methuselah was the son of Enoch, a descendant of Adam and Seth, and father of Lamech. Methuselah attained the greatest longevity of any biblical character, living to be nine hundred and sixty-nine. Genesis 5.21-27; 1 Chronicles 1.3; Luke 3.37

Methushael was a descendant of Cain, the son of Mehujael and father of Lamech. Genesis 4.18

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Mibhar was the son of Hagri, a soldier of David's bodyguard, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 11.38

Mibsam (1) was the fourth son of Ishmael. Genesis 25.13; 1 Chronicles 1.29

Mibsam (2) was the seventh son of Simeon, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 4.25

Mibzar was an Edomite chieftain, a descendant of Esau. Genesis 36.42; 1 Chronicles1.53

Mica was the son of Mephibosheth, a grandson of Jonathan. 2 Samuel 9.12

Micah (1) was an Ephraimite who, in the time of the Judges, stole from his mother a substantial sum of silver. Later he confessed and returned the money, which his mother used to make images for a small shrine. This was installed in Micah's house, one of his sons initially serving as priest. In time a young Levite took over this office. The migrating tribe of Dan took this priest captive, and also removed Micah's images, installing them in a new shrine at Laish. Judges 17.1-18.31

Micah (2) was a prophet from Moresheth in Judaea, active in the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah in Judah. Micah denounced his own nation for its corruption, and foretold the fall of Jerusalem, a prophecy which was remembered in the time of Jeremiah. Micah looked forward to a renewal of pure worship. He also foretold the appearance in Bethlehem of one who would be “ruler in Israel”, a prophecy later understood as referring to Christ. Jeremiah 26.18, 19; Micah 1.1-7.20

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Micaiah (1) was the son of Imlah, a prophet who opposed Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahab in the joint campaign of Judah and Israel against Syria. Ahab, whom Micaiah rebuked the more harshly, ordered that the prophet be kept in the stocks until his expected victorious return from battle. Micaiah's prediction that Israel would be left leaderless was fulfilled when Ahab was fatally wounded in the battle, at Ramothgilead, and was brought home to Samaria to die. 1 Kings 22.8-28; 2 Chronicles 18.7-27

Micaiah (2) was the name used by the Chronicler for Maacah, mother of Abijah and wife of Rehoboam. 2 Chronicles 13.2

Micaiah (3) was one of a number of priests appointed by Jehoshaphat to teach in the cities of Judah, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 17.7

Micaiah (4) was a priest, one of a number who assisted Nehemiah in his festival of dedication of the restored walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 12.41

Micaiah (5) was the son of Gemariah, the grandson of Shaphan and a friend of the prophet Jeremiah. Micaiah showed other leading citizens of Jerusalem the scroll containing Jeremiah's prophecy, with the consequence that these decided in turn to show the writing to Jehoiakim, the king. Jeremiah 36.11-19

Michael was the son of Jehoshaphat, a younger brother of Jehoram of Judah, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 21.2

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Michal was the second daughter of Saul. She became the wife of David, after he had obtained the marriage-present demanded by her father - which was one hundred foreskins of the Philistines. Saul had hoped that David would be killed in attempting this, but the younger man produced twice the requisite quantity. Later, when Saul was seeking to kill David, Michal helped her husband escape, by hiding a dummy in his bed, while he took flight. After this Saul had Michal remarried, to Palti. When, later, David became king in Judah, he insisted that his first wife be restored to him, despite the protestations of Palti (who was eventually deterred from further protest by the threats of Abner).

David's ecstatic dancing when the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem led to a quarrel with Michal (who thought his conduct unseemly for a ruler). From this time she had no more children, though it is not known whether this was the result of natural causes, or whether the king put her away. 1 Samuel 14.49; 18.20-27; 19.11-17; 25.44; 2 Samuel 3.13-16; 1 Chronicles15.29

Midian was the fourth son of Abraham by his second wife, Keturah, and the father of Ephah, Epher, Hanoch and Eldaah, according to the Chronicler. Genesis 25.2; 1 Chronicles 1.32,33

Mikneiah was a Levitical musician of David's court, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 15.18, 21

Milcah (1) was the daughter of Haran, the wife (and niece) of Nahor, to whom she bore Uz, Buz, Kemuel, Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph and Bethuel. Genesis 11.29; 22.20-23; 24.15, 24, 47

Milcah (2) was the fourth of the daughters of Zelophehad. Numbers 26.33; 27.1; 36.11; Joshua 17.3, 4

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Miniamin (1) was the assistant of Kore, a steward in Hezekiah's administration, according to the Chronicler. 2 Chronicles 31.15

Miniamin (2) was a priest who assisted Nehemiah in his festival of dedication of the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 12.41

Miriam was the daughter of Amram and Jochebed, the elder sister of Moses. Miriam witnessed her brother's discovery by Pharaoh's daughter, and brought their mother to the Egyptian princess to serve as his nurse-maid. During the Exodus, Miriam became an ally of Moses. In the account of her celebration in song of the Israelites' victory over Egypt at the Red Sea, Miriam is referred to as a prophetess. Her criticism of Moses for his marriage to a Cushite woman led to her being temporarily punished with leprosy. During the Israelites' stay at Kadesh-barnea Miriam died and was buried there. Exodus 2.4-8; 15.20, 21; Numbers 12.1-15; 20.1; 26.59; 1 Chronicles 6.3; Micah 6.4

Mishael (1) was the eldest of the sons of Uzziel, a descendant of Levi. With his brother Elzaphan he removed the bodies of Nadab and Abihu from the Israelite camp, after they had been struck down. Exodus 6.22; Leviticus 10.45

Mishael (2) was an assistant of Ezra at the time of his reading to the people from the book of the law. Nehemiah 8.4

Mishael (3) was popularly known as Meshach - the name given him by the chief eunuch of Nebuchadrezzar's court. He was one of the young Jews appointed to serve the king as a household steward. Along with Daniel, and his companions Hananiah and Azariah, Mishael refused to eat the ritually unclean food of the royal table, and contented himself with a vegetarian diet. Anti-Jewish feeling prompted an attack on Mishael and his friends who, for refusing to worship an idol erected by Nebuchadnezzar, were cast into a furnace. All three miraculously survived, and after this ordeal Nebuchadnezzar forbade further interference in the freedom of Mishael and his friends to worship God. Daniel 1.6-20; 2.17,18, 49; 3.1-30

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Mishma (1) was the fifth son of Ishmael. Genesis 25.14; 1 Chronicles 1.30

Mishma (2) was the eighth son of Simeon, according to the Chronicler. 1 Chronicles 4.25

Mithredath (1) was the treasurer of Cyrus. He had the task of restoring to the Jerusalem temple the treasures removed from it by Nebuchadrezzar. Ezra 1.8

Mithredath (2) was an official of the Persian administration in Jerusalem in the reign of Artaxerxes, one of the signatories of a letter of complaint to the king about the rebuilding of the city walls. Ezra 4.7-22

Mizzah was the fourth son of Reuel, a descendant of Esau. Genesis 36.13; 1 Chronicles1.37

Mnason was a Christian, a native of Cyprus but resident in Jerusalem, with whom Paul and his companions lodged on their return from the third missionary voyage. Acts 21.16

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Moab (1) was the son of Lot and his elder daughter, the supposed ancestor of the Moabites. Genesis 19.37

Moab (2; the king of) was a Moabite chieftain, resident in Mizpeh, who sheltered the parents of David, during his flight from Saul. 1 Samuel 22.3, 4

Mordecai was a Benjaminite, the son of Jair and descendant of Kish. He was a minor official in the court of Ahasuerus, and the uncle of Esther, whose guardian he became, following the death of her parents. When Esther was made queen in place of Vashti, Mordecai asked her not to disclose, for the time being, her relationship to him. His discovery of a plot on the life of Ahasuerus boded well for Mordecai but his fortunes took a turn for the worse when the king promoted his enemy, Haman the Agagite. Haman planned to have Mordecai, and all the Jews in Persia, killed, but the tables were turned on him when the king, reminded of Mordecai's earlier service, had him raised to a position of great eminence. Ahasuerus commanded Haman to confer this dignity upon Mordecai. Later, following the intervention of Esther, Haman was executed, and Mordecai further promoted by Ahasuerus. Esther 2.5-10.3

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Moses was the son of Amram and Jochebed, a descendant of Levi, brother of Aaron and Miriam, husband of Zipporah, father of Gershom and Eliezer, and the law-giver of the Jews. Moses was born in Egypt. The Pharaoh's policy of exposing Jewish children prompted his parents to conceal Moses, but when he proved impossible to hide any longer his parents placed him in a watertight basket and set this adrift on a river. Found by Pharaoh's daughter, he was brought up as her child in the royal household. His sister, Miriam, who witnessed the discovery, brought Moses' true mother to Pharaoh's daughter to serve as nurse-maid for the infant.

Though brought up in the royal household, Moses was obliged to flee from Egypt after he murdered an Egyptian whom he had seen beating an Israelite. He stayed with the priest of Midian, Jethro, and took his daughter Zipporah as his wife, becoming at this time the father of his first son, Gershom.

Later God spoke to Moses, from a bush, which appeared to burn but not to be consumed. God told him to return to Egypt, and secure the release of his countrymen from their oppressors. At first Moses' efforts to do this led to even harsher treatment for his people. Pharaoh, having previously given permission only to retract it later, reluctantly allowed the Israelites to go, after a succession of plagues (pollution of the Nile; frogs; swarms of gnats and of flies; cattle-plague and boils; hail; thunderstorms; locusts; thick darkness, and the slaying of the firstborn).

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The last of the plagues was accompanied by the feasts of Passover and unleavened bread - the former serving as a memorial of the “passing over” of the angel of death (which spared the children of the Israelites, whose houses were marked with blood on the lintel); the latter being a reminder of the haste of the departure from Israel. A last attempt by Pharaoh to re-enslave the Jews was thwarted when the waters of the Red Sea, which had miraculously receded to let the Israelites cross, engulfed his chariots.

Subsequently Moses led the Israelites through the desert, stopping at various stages of the Journey, sometimes for years at a stretch, before arriving at the “promised land” of which God had spoken to him. During the journey and the various halts on the way, God showed His election of Moses by various signs. Among these was the feeding of the people by the strange substance, known by them as “manna”, which appeared overnight, and later by flocks of quails, which alighted near the Israelite camp. After a successful military campaign against the various peoples whose territory they were crossing, the Israelites arrived at Sinai. Here God summoned Moses to speak with him on the mountain, and gave him the stone tablets on which were inscribed the Ten Commandments. On his return from the mountain, Moses found that the Israelites had made an idol and were offering sacrifices to it. Enraged, he smashed the stone tablets, but later received fresh ones in their place.

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After the giving of the law, Moses led the Israelites on to Canaan, stopping for several years at the oasis of Kadesh-barnea. Here a group of rebellious Levites - headed by Korah, Dathan and Abiram challenged his authority - but this revolt was promptly ended by the miraculous punishment of the offenders, who (along with their families) were swallowed by a fissure in the ground. A milder criticism of Moses from Miriam led to her being afflicted with leprosy. Following further successful military campaigns, Moses prepared to lead the Israelites over the Jordan and into Canaan. Though he was allowed to see the Promised Land before the Israelites crossed the Jordan to enter it, Moses was not allowed to make the crossing - apparently, a punishment for an earlier loss of faith. Having seen Canaan, Moses was told to ascend Mt. Nebo where he would die. The place of his death was unknown to the Israelites, but there is a tradition that God buried him. Exodus 2.1 - Deuteronomy 34.12; Joshua 1.1, 2, 5, 7, 13-17; 3.7; 13. 8; 17.4; 20.2; 21.8; 24.5 1 Samuel 12.6, 8; 2 Kings 18.12; 21.8; 1 Chronicles 6.3; 23.13-15; Psalms 90; 99.6; 103.7; 105.26; Isaiah 63.11; Jeremiah 15.1; Micah 6.4; Malachi 4.4; Matthew 8.4; 17.3, 4; 19.7, 8; 22.24; 23.2; Mark 1.44; 7.10; 9.4, 5; 10.3-5; 12.19, 26; Luke 5.14; 9.30-33; 16.29, 31; 20.28, 37; 24.27, 44; John 1.17; 3.14; 5.45-47; 6.32; 7.19, 22, 23; 9.28, 29; Acts 3.22; 6.11, 14; 7.20-44; 15.1, 5, 21; 26.22; 28.23; Romans 5.14; 9.15; 10.5, 19; 1 Corinthians 9.9; 10.2; 2 Corinthians 3.7, 13, 15; 2 Timothy 3.8; Hebrews 3.2-5, 16; 7.14; 8.5; 9.19-21; 10.28; 11.23-28; 12.21; Jude 9; Revelation 15.3

Muppim was the eighth of the sons of Benjamin. Genesis 46.21

Mushi was the second son of Merari, grandson of Levi and father of Mahli, Eder and Jeremoth. Exodus 6.19; 1 Chronicles 6.19; 23.21, 23; 24.26, 30

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