- Grandson of Noah
- Founder of the Georgian-Armenian Race
Biography
Meshech, son of Japheth, eldest son of Noah (Moses 8:12; see also Gen. 5:32; 6:10; 7:13; 9:18, 23). Japheth descendants were dispersed over the European coasts of the Mediterranean and the districts adjoining the Black and Caspian seas (Gen. 10:1–5, 21; 1 Chr. 1:4–5), forming what is now called the Indo-European family of nations.
Another Meshech is named as a son of Aram in 1 Chronicles 1:17 (corresponding to the form Mash in Genesis 10).
Most reference books since Flavius Josephus generally identify Meshech in Ezekiel's time as an area in modern Turkey.
Meshech is named with Tubal (and Rosh, in certain translations) as principalities of "Gog, prince of Magog" in Ezekiel 38:2 and 39:1, and is considered a Japhetite tribe, identified by Flavius Josephus with the Cappadocian "Mosocheni" (Mushki, also associated with Phrygians or Bryges) and their capital Mazaca. In Hippolytus of Rome's chronicle (234 AD), the "Illyrians" were identified as Meshech's offspring. In addition, Georgians have traditions that they, and other Caucasus people as well as Armenians, share descent from Meshech (Georgian: Meskheti), Tubal, and Togarmah.
Genesis Narrative
Japheth's descendants were dispersed over the European coasts of the Mediterranean and the districts adjoining the Black and Caspian seas (Gen. 10:1–5, 21; 1 Chr. 1:4–5), forming what is now called the Indo-European family of nations (Gentiles).
1 Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood.
2 The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras.
3 And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah.
4 And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.
5 By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations.
Historical Map
Geographic identifications for the Sons of Noah (Flavius Josephus, c. 100 AD); Japheth's sons shown in red
Marriage and Family
Siblings
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Gomer ben Japheth | Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia | |
| Magog ben Japheth | Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia | |
| Madai ben Japheth | Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia | |
| Javan ben Japheth | Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia | |
| Tubal ben Japheth | Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia | |
| Meshech ben Japheth | Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia | |
| Tiras ben Japheth | Mesopotamia | Mesopotamia | |
References
- Book of Genesis 9-10
- Meshech - disambiguation biblical
- 1 Chronicles 1:5-7
- Meshech - LDS Bible Dictionary
- Meshech - Wikipedia
Footnotes (including sources)
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