Interesting Facts

• Masa is identified as one of the eight sons born to Ishmael by his wife Malchuth.
• The sons of Masa are recorded as Melon, Mula, and Ebidadon.
• Masa is listed among the sons of Ishmael who became twelve princes according to their nations.

Genealogy

• Masa was a son of Ishmael.
• Ishmael was the son of Abraham and Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid.
• Masa’s mother was Malchuth, Ishmael’s wife from the land of Canaan.
• His brothers, according to this lineage, were Nishma, Dumah, Chadad, Tema, Yetur, Naphish, and Kedma.
• Masa had three sons: Melon, Mula, and Ebidadon. These are listed as families of the children of Malchuth, the wife of Ishmael.

Historical Context

The account of Masa’s existence is situated within the narrative of the proliferation of Ishmael’s descendants, a lineage distinct from that of Isaac, who was designated as Abraham’s primary heir. The cultural emphasis on patriarchal lineage and the importance of offspring for establishing future generations are evident in the detailed genealogical records provided. The emergence of twelve princes from the sons of Ishmael, including Masa, suggests a tribal societal structure where familial connections formed the basis of larger social and political units. Ishmael and his family, including Masa, eventually established their dwellings in the eastern regions, indicating a geographical separation and the development of their own distinct communities. This expansion is presented as a fulfillment of the divine promise concerning Ishmael’s future as a great nation.

Narrative

Masa’s presence in the narrative is primarily through his inclusion in the genealogical lists detailing the descendants of Ishmael through his wife Malchuth. As one of Ishmael’s sons, Masa is considered an ancestor of one of the twelve tribes or principalities that originated from Ishmael. The provided texts do not ascribe any specific actions, speeches, or personal interactions to Masa himself. His significance lies in his contribution to the expansion of Ishmael’s family and the eventual formation of the Ishmaelite nations. The listing of his sons, Melon, Mula, and Ebidadon, further illustrates the continuation of his lineage and its role within the broader tapestry of Abraham’s extended family. While Masa remains a figure within the ancestral records, his inclusion underscores the textual emphasis on documenting the fulfillment of divine promises related to the growth and establishment of Ishmael’s descendants in their designated territories.