Bible Dictionary
AMASHSAI
Amashsai was a priest listed among the inhabitants of Jerusalem after the exile. The name may reflect a textual variation of Maasai.
Definition
Amashsai is a priestly name occurring in a post-exilic list of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The supplied material regards the form as probably a textual error or variation related to Amashai or Maasai.
Biblical Usage
Amashsai appears among the priests living in Jerusalem after the exile. The corresponding name in Chronicles is Maasai, rendered Maasiai in the King James Version and Maasai in the Revised Version.
Historical Background
The spelling differs between Nehemiah and Chronicles, and the form may reflect a mistaken derivation in the transmission of the name.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-mash'-si `amashcay, probably a textual error for `amashay; the ("s") implies a reading `-M-C-Y, based on a mistaken derivation from '-M-C. The original reading may have been `ammishay; compare AMASAI): Amashsai is a priestly name in the post-exilic list of inhabitants of Jerusalem (Ne 11:13; Maasai, 1Ch 9:12); the reading in Chronicles is ma`asay, the King James Version "Maasiai," the Revised Version (British and American) "Maasai."</p>