Maaseiah, Ancestor of Sallu
A Benjamite ancestor whose descendant, Sallu, was among the first to resettle Jerusalem following the return from the Babylonian exile.
Maaseiah was a member of the tribe of Benjamin who lived during the era of the Exile and Return. His historical significance is tied to the reconstruction of the Judean social fabric in the post-exilic period, specifically as a named forebear in the genealogy of the Benjamite leaders who chose to reside in the newly rebuilt Jerusalem. While the biblical text provides a limited biographical narrative for Maaseiah himself, his inclusion in the sacred genealogies signifies his importance in establishing the legitimacy and heritage of the returning community.
He is identified as the son of Ithiel and the father of Kolaiah. His lineage eventually produced Sallu, a prominent figure in the resettlement efforts documented by Nehemiah. As the Jewish people returned from Babylon to restore the Temple and the city walls, maintaining accurate records of ancestry like that of Maaseiah was crucial for determining property rights, tribal standing, and communal roles within the restored covenant community.
Background and Family
Maaseiah appears within the genealogical records of the tribe of Benjamin during the Post-Exilic Period. According to Nehemiah 11:7, he was the son of Ithiel and the father of Kolaiah. His place in the lineage is recorded as follows: Sallu (the descendant who lived in Jerusalem) was the son of Meshullam, who was the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, and the son of Jeshaiah.
Because he is listed deep within a six-generation genealogy, Maaseiah likely lived during the period of the Babylonian captivity or shortly thereafter. His tribal affiliation with Benjamin is significant, as the tribes of Judah and Benjamin formed the core of the returning remnant that sought to re-establish the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem.
Major Life Events
There are no specific narrative events recorded for Maaseiah in the biblical text. His life was defined by the continuity of his family line during one of the most tumultuous eras in Israelite history—the transition from the destruction of the first temple to the rebuilding of the second. His primary contribution to the biblical record is the preservation of his family’s identity and their subsequent commitment to the holy city. The fact that his descendant, Sallu, was one of the first to volunteer or be chosen to live in Jerusalem (a city that was still largely in ruins and under threat) suggests a family legacy of devotion and leadership.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Maaseiah is linked directly to his father, Ithiel, and his son, Kolaiah. He is an ancestor of Sallu, who is noted in Nehemiah 11:7 as one of the Benjamites who dwelt in Jerusalem. This specific Sallu was a leader among his people, and by tracing Sallu's lineage back to Maaseiah, the author of Nehemiah validates Sallu's status as a true son of Benjamin and a rightful inhabitant of the city. Unlike many who preferred the safety of the countryside, the house of Maaseiah was integral to the repopulation of Jerusalem.
Spiritual Significance
The spiritual significance of Maaseiah lies in the value the Bible places on individual names within the broader context of God's redemptive history. In the Post-Exilic Period, genealogies served as a witness to God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant. Maaseiah represents the "quiet" generations who, despite not being prophets or kings, maintained their faith and their heritage through the Exile, ensuring that the next generation would be available to do the work of restoration. His name, which means "Work of Yahweh," reflects the theological reality that the restoration of Israel was not merely a political event, but a divine work accomplished through specific, named families.
Spiritual Significance
Maaseiah’s inclusion in Nehemiah 11:7 highlights the importance of tribal identity and genealogical purity in the post-exilic community. By documenting the ancestors of those living in Jerusalem, the biblical text reinforces the idea that the return from exile was a fulfillment of God's promise to the tribes of Israel, specifically the tribe of Benjamin. Maaseiah serves as a link in the chain that connected the pre-exilic tribal territories to the newly restored Judean province.
Theologically, Maaseiah represents the hundreds of named individuals in the census lists who form the 'living stones' of the restored Jerusalem. His presence in the text reminds readers that the rebuilding of the nation was a collective effort involving families who had survived the judgment of the Exile to see the dawn of the Return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tribe did Maaseiah belong to?
Maaseiah belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, one of the two main tribes that returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.
Who was Maaseiah's father?
According to Nehemiah 11:7, Maaseiah was the son of Ithiel.
Who was Maaseiah's most famous descendant?
His descendant Sallu is the most prominent figure in his line, as Sallu was a leader who resettled in Jerusalem during the time of Nehemiah.
What does the name Maaseiah mean?
The name Maaseiah (Ma'aseyah) translates to 'Work of Yahweh' or 'Deed of the Lord' in Hebrew.
In which book of the Bible is this Maaseiah mentioned?
This specific Maaseiah is mentioned only in the Book of Nehemiah, specifically in chapter 11, verse 7.
Connected Figures
Sallu
Descendant
Ithiel
Father
Kolaiah
Son
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Nehemiah1
Family & Relationships
Child
Nehemiah 11:7
Parent
Nehemiah 11:7
Others Named Maaseiah
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A Levite official and doorkeeper of the Temple in Jerusalem during the final years of the Divided Monarchy.
Maaseiah the Officer2 Chronicles 26:11
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Maaseiah, Father of AzariahNehemiah 3:23
Maaseiah, son of Ananiah, was a resident of Jerusalem during the Post-Exilic Period whose son Azariah participated in the rebuilding of the city walls under Nehemiah.
Maaseiah, Priest of the Exile and ReturnEzra 10:18
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Maaseiah of the Harim ClanEzra 10:21
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Maaseiah, Father of Zedekiah the False ProphetJeremiah 29:21
The father of the false prophet Zedekiah who was executed by Nebuchadnezzar during the Divided Monarchy.
Maaseiah, Father of ZephaniahJeremiah 21:1
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Maaseiah, Signer of the CovenantNehemiah 10:25
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Maaseiah son of BaruchNehemiah 11:5
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Maaseiah of the Pashhur ClanEzra 10:22
A member of the descendants of Pashhur who returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile and was cited in the book of Ezra.
Maaseiah of the Pahath-moab ClanEzra 10:30
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Maaseiah the TrumpeterNehemiah 12:41
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Maaseiah, Musician of the Divided Monarchy1 Chronicles 15:18
A Levite musician appointed to play the harp during the transport of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem during the Divided Monarchy era.
Maaseiah the InstructorNehemiah 8:7
A Levite during the Post-Exilic Period who assisted Ezra the scribe by instructing the people of Jerusalem in the understanding of the Mosaic Law.
Maaseiah, Singer of the Wall DedicationNehemiah 12:42
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Maaseiah son of Adaiah2 Chronicles 23:1
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Maaseiah, son of King Ahaz2 Chronicles 28:7
A Judean prince and son of King Ahaz who was killed by Zichri of Ephraim during the Syro-Ephraimite War.
Maaseiah, Governor of Jerusalem2 Chronicles 34:8
A high-ranking Judean official who served as the governor of Jerusalem during the reign and religious reforms of King Josiah.
Maaseiah, Attendant to EzraNehemiah 8:4
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