Mizah

מזה


Genesis 36:13 names him as a son of Re'u-El (ראואל), Esav's son by Basmat; later an Edomite chieftain (37:17).

Gesenius gives the root as Mazaz (מזז) meaning "fear" or "trepidation"; but why not the more logical and immediate root Mazah (מזה) meaning "exhausted" or "emaciated from hunger", as in Deuteronomy 32:24, and rather an interesting coincidence, in the light of his being the grandson of the man who gave away his birthright precisely because he was exhausted, and emaciated from hunger?

On the other hand, we could read this as Mi-Zeh, with an interrogation mark! Mi-zeh = "who is this?". Unlikely - but quite amusing to point it out.

See also notes to the other Re'u names: RE'UMAH, RE'U-EL, RE'U-VEN...




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