Bible Dictionary
Mishael
Mishael was the name of several men. One was a Levite who helped remove the bodies of Nadab and Abihu; another supported Ezra; and another was one of Daniel’s companions, later called Meshach in Babylon.
Definition
Mishael, meaning “who is like God?” or “who is equal to God?”, was the name of several men. They included a Kohathite, a supporter of Ezra, and one of Daniel’s three companions, whose Babylonian name was Meshach.
Biblical Usage
The Kohathite helped remove the bodies of Nadab and Abihu. Another Mishael supported Ezra at the reading of the Law. The Mishael associated with Daniel was trained in Babylon, refused idolatrous worship, and was delivered from the fiery furnace.
Historical Background
The Babylonian administration gave Daniel’s companion the name Meshach. The other men belonged to the priestly and postexilic communities.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Who is like God! (1.) A Levite; the eldest of the three sons of Uzziel (Ex. 6:22). (2.) One of the three Hebrew youths who were trained with Daniel in Babylon (Dan. 1:11, 19), and promoted to the rank of Magi. He and his companions were afterwards cast into the burning fiery furnace for refusing to worship the idol the king had set up, from which they were miraculously delivered (3:13-30). His Chaldean name was Meshach (q.v.).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(who is what God is?).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>mish'-a-el, mi'-sha-el (misha'el, perhaps equals "who is equal to God?"):</p><p>(1) A Kohathite, 4th in descent from Levi (Ex 6:22). He and his brother Elzaphan carried out Moses' order to remove from the sanctuary and the camp the corpses of Nadab and Abihu (Le 10:4 f).</p><p>(2) A supporter of Ezra at the reading of the Law (Ne 8:4).</p><p>(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).</p>