Interesting Facts

• Merishah, also referred to as Merushah, was taken as a wife by Zebulun.
• She is identified as the daughter of Molad, the son of Abida, the son of Midian.
• Another source identifies her as Ni’iman.
• Merushah bore three sons to Zebulun: Sered, Elon, and Yachleel.
• Similar to other wives of Jacob’s sons mentioned in the genealogical lists, the provided sources do not record any direct actions or speeches by Merishah/Merushah/Ni’iman beyond her marriage and the birth of her children.

Genealogy

• Merishah/Merushah/Ni’iman’s father was Molad.
• Her grandfather was Abida.
• Her great-grandfather was Midian.
• She became the wife of Zebulun, one of the twelve sons of Jacob.
• She was the mother of three sons: Sered, Elon, and Yachleel, who are considered part of the lineage of the tribe of Zebulun.

Historical Context

The marriage of Zebulun to Merishah/Merushah/Ni’iman occurred while Jacob and his family were dwelling in the land of Canaan. Zebulun sought a wife from Midian, indicating interactions and potential intermingling with people from that region. This period precedes the significant event of the descent into Egypt due to famine. The patriarchal society of the time placed importance on marriage and the continuation of family lines, as evidenced by the recording of these unions and the offspring they produced. The fact that Zebulun sought a wife from outside the immediate family circle suggests a degree of social interaction beyond the direct descendants of Jacob. The naming of Merishah/Merushah also as Ni’iman in another source highlights the potential for multiple names or variations in appellation during this historical period.

Narrative

The narrative presence of Merishah/Merushah/Ni’iman in the provided sources is primarily within the context of Zebulun’s marital choices and the subsequent lineage of his family. Her story is intertwined with the broader genealogical account of Jacob’s sons establishing their own families in Canaan before the migration to Egypt. The text records that Zebulun “went to Midian, and took for a wife Merishah the daughter of Molad… and brought her to the land of Canaan”. Following this, it states that “Merushah bare unto Zebulun Sered, Elon and Yachleel; three sons”. Unlike figures such as Joseph or the interactions between Jacob and his sons regarding Joseph, Merishah/Merushah/Ni’iman does not engage in any recorded dialogues or actions that directly influence the main events of the narrative concerning the betrayal and sale of Joseph. Her role, as documented, is significant in establishing Zebulun’s familial line, thus contributing to the formation of one of the future tribes of Israel. The narrative focuses on the male lineage and the establishment of families, and Merishah/Merushah/Ni’iman’s inclusion serves this genealogical purpose within the broader story.