Bible Figure
Mesha
9th-century BC king of Moab
Mesha was the ninth-century BC king of Moab who rebelled against Israel after Ahab's death and fought the coalition of Israel, Judah, and Edom.
Biography
Second Kings 3 describes Mesha as a sheep breeder who paid a large tribute to the king of Israel. After Ahab died, Mesha rebelled. Jehoram of Israel joined Jehoshaphat of Judah and the king of Edom in a campaign against Moab. Elisha prophesied water for the coalition and victory over Moab. The allies devastated the land and drove Mesha back to Kir-hareseth. In desperation Mesha sacrificed his firstborn son on the city wall, after which the text reports great wrath against Israel and the coalition withdrew. The extra-biblical Mesha Stele independently attests a Moabite king Mesha and his conflict with Israel, though its presentation naturally differs from Kings.
Biblical Significance
Mesha's revolt is an important biblical episode in Israel-Moab relations and one of the notable points where biblical history intersects with a surviving ancient royal inscription.