Mishael מִישָׁאֵל
A Jewish exile in Babylon, friend of Daniel.
Who is Mishael in the Bible?
Mishael, better known by his Babylonian name Meshach, was one of four young Jewish men chosen to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar's court during the Babylonian exile (Dan. 1:6-7). Along with Daniel, Hananiah (Shadrach), and Azariah (Abednego), he was selected for his intelligence and appearance, yet remained faithful to his Jewish beliefs despite Babylonian pressures. Mishael is most remembered for his courageous refusal to worship the king's golden statue, which led to his arrest alongside his companions (Daniel 3). When they were cast into a fiery furnace, God miraculously preserved all three men unharmed, causing King Nebuchadnezzar to recognize the power of the God of Israel. Mishael's story demonstrates the spiritual significance of maintaining faithfulness to God even in hostile foreign environments and under threat of death.
Biography
Mishael, better known by his Babylonian name Meshach, was one of the four young Jewish men chosen to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar's court during the Babylonian exile. He, along with Daniel (Belteshazzar), Hananiah (Shadrach), and Azariah (Abednego), were selected for their intelligence, knowledge, and appearance (Dan.1.6-7).
Despite being given a Babylonian name and education, Mishael and his friends remained faithful to their Jewish beliefs. When faced with the king's decree to worship a golden statue, Mishael, Shadrach, and Abednego refused, even under the threat of being thrown into a fiery furnace (Daniel 3). Their faith and trust in God were rewarded when they miraculously survived the furnace unharmed, leading Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge the power of their God.
Throughout the book of Daniel, Mishael and his friends serve as examples of unwavering faith and loyalty to God in the face of adversity and pressure to conform to the surrounding culture. Their story encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, no matter the circumstances.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentDaniel 5 verses
- Daniel 1:6
"Among these young men were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah."
Study Daniel → - Daniel 1:7
"The chief official gave them new names: To Daniel he gave the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego."
Study Daniel → - Daniel 1:11
"Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,"
Study Daniel → - Daniel 1:19
"And the king spoke with them, and among all the young men he found no one equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the king’s service."
Study Daniel → - Daniel 2:17
"Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,"
Study Daniel →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מִישָׁאֵל | Mishael , the name of three Israelites |
| Aramaic | Hebrew | מִישָׁאֵל | — |
| Aramaic | Hebrew | מֵישַׁךְ | — |
| Named | Hebrew | מֵישַׁךְ | — |
Mishael
order to remove from the sanctuary and the camp the corpses of Nadab and Abihu (Le 10:4 f).
(2) A supporter of Ezra at the reading of the Law (Ne 8:4).
(3) The Hebrew name of one of Daniel's 3 companions (Da 1:6,7,11,19; 2:17). His Babylonian name was MESHACH (which see).
mi'-shal (mish'al): A town in the territory of Asher (Jos 19:26, the King James Version "Misheal," Maasa), assigned to the Gershonite Levites (Jos 2