Boy Old Testament Rare
Machir
selling; knowing
מָכִיר ma.khir
Machir (Hebrew: מָכִיר, ma.khir) means “selling; knowing”, by traditional interpretation. Two men in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Patriarchal period. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears in the same passages as Abigail.
Which Machir?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
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Machir
son of Manasseh; spouse of Maacah; father of Gilead
-
Machir
son of Ammiel; son of Jonathan
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 20 across 7 books
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Patriarchal
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Genesis 50:23 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 7:17 |
| Cross-references | 212 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Gilead co-occurrence Appears with Gilead in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Ammiel co-occurrence Appears with Ammiel in 2 Samuel 9.
- Tirzah co-occurrence Appears with Tirzah in Joshua 17.
- Milcah co-occurrence Appears with Milcah in Joshua 17.
- Mahlah co-occurrence Appears with Mahlah in Joshua 17.
- Noah co-occurrence Appears with Noah in Joshua 17.
- Hoglah co-occurrence Appears with Hoglah in Joshua 17.
- Maacah co-occurrence Appears with Maacah in 1 Chronicles 7.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.9.4;
son of: Ammiel (H5988H)
§ Machir = "sold"
1) eldest son of Manasseh by an Aramite or Syrian concubine and progenitor of a large family
2) son of Ammiel, a powerful chief of one of the Transjordanic tribes who rendered essential services to Saul and to David
Machir, the son of Ammiel, hosted Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, in Lo-debar and later provided supplies to David during Absalom's rebellion.
The biblical story
Machir, the son of Ammiel, was a resident of Lo-debar who played a significant role in the life of Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan (2Sa.9.4,5). After the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, Mephibosheth was taken to the house of Machir in Lo-debar, where he found refuge and support. When King David sought to show kindness to the remaining descendants of Saul, he learned that Mephibosheth was living in the house of Machir (2Sa.9.4). David summoned Mephibosheth and restored to him all the land that had belonged to Saul, ensuring his well-being (2Sa.9.7-13). Later, during Absalom's rebellion against David, Machir, along with Shobi and Barzillai, provided essential supplies to David and his followers, including beds, basins, wheat, barley, flour, and other provisions (2Sa.17.27-29). Machir's actions demonstrate his loyalty and support for both Mephibosheth and King David during challenging times.
Key verses
Machir appears in 3 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo–debar.
2 Samuel 9:4 -
Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo–debar.
2 Samuel 9:5 -
And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lo–debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,
2 Samuel 17:27
Show all 3 references
2 Samuel (3)
- 2 Samuel 9:4
- 2 Samuel 9:5
- 2 Samuel 17:27