Massa
“Burden, Oracle”
Summary
A son of Ishmael and the tribe descended from him, also possibly used as a place name for their territory in Arabia.
☩Descendant of Ishmael
Massa was the seventh son of Ishmael: 'And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael... Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah: these are the sons of Ishmael' (Genesis 25:13-16). He was among the 'twelve princes according to their nations' that God promised would descend from Ishmael (Genesis 17:20).
☩Arabian Tribe
The Massaites likely settled in northern Arabia. Assyrian records mention a tribe called 'Mas'a' among Arabian peoples. Proverbs 30:1 and 31:1 contain headings with the word massa, which may indicate either 'oracle' or the tribal/geographical name Massa, suggesting Agur and King Lemuel may have connections to this region.