as Jesus did, in order to prove his claim as the heir of David. This shows that persons still looking for the Messiah’s earthly appearance are in error.) Among such later false claimants to messiahship were Moses of Crete, who asserted he would divide the sea between Crete and Palestine, and Serenus, who misled many Jews in Spain. The Jewish Encyclopedia lists twenty-eight false Messiahs between 132 C.E. and 1744 C.E.

JESUS CLAIMED TO BE AND WAS ACCEPTED AS THE MESSIAH

The historical evidence found in the Gospels demonstrates that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Persons in the first century who were in position to question the witnesses and examine the evidence accepted the historical information as authentic. They were so sure of its accuracy that they were willing to endure persecution and die in behalf of their faith based on that assured information. The historical Gospel records show that various individuals openly acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ or Messiah. (Matt. 16:16; John 1:41, 45, 49; 11:27) Jesus did not say they were incorrect, and on occasion he admitted being the Christ. (Matt. 16:17; John 4:25, 26) Sometimes Jesus would not say pointedly that he was the Messiah; at times he directed others not to publicize it. (Mark 8:29, 30; 9:9; John 10:24, 25) Since Jesus was present where people could hear him and see his works, he wanted them to believe on the solid basis of this evidence, so that their faith would be founded on their own eyewitness view of the fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures. (John 5:36; 10:24, 25; compare John 4:41, 42.) Now the Gospel record of what Jesus was and did has been provided along with the Hebrew Scriptures, which supplied abundant information about what he would do, so that individuals may know and believe that Jesus is indeed the Messiah.—John 20:31; see JESUS CHRIST.

METALS

Seventy-eight of the more than a hundred elements known to man are metals. Gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, and electrum have a recorded history thousands of years old. The first Biblical mention of metals is in Genesis 4:22. In physical properties metals are opaque, fusible, ductile, have a metallic luster and are usually good conductors of heat and electricity. Chemically and physically the metals have certain distinguishing characteristics. For specific information and the Scriptural occurrences, see the above-mentioned metals under their individual names; also the heading REFINE, REFINER.

METALWORKER

One who casts, hammers, carves, engraves or otherwise works with metals. (Isa. 41:7) The first “forger of every sort of tool of copper and iron” in recorded history was Tubal-cain. (Gen. 4:22) Ancient metalworkers made tools, household items, weapons, armor, musical instruments, ornaments and figurines. Besides fashioning new items, they also did repair work. (2 Chron. 24:12) Many were specialists in working such metals as gold (Neh. 3:8, 31, 32), silver (Judg. 17:4; Acts 19:24) or copper. (2 Tim. 4:14) At times they formed a kind of association or guild. (Neh. 3:31; Acts 19:24-28) Their trade called for skill in artistic design.

The Israelites may have had knowledge of metalworking prior to their entry into Egypt, or possibly acquired it there. By the time of the Exodus they had ability to fashion a molten calf and a copper serpent. (Ex. 32:4; Num. 21:9) More impressive, however, was the production of various metal items for the tabernacle service. Bezalel and his assistants were aided by Jehovah’s spirit in their metalworking.—Ex. 31:2, 3; 35:30-35.

Later, when oppressed by the Philistines, the Israelites were not allowed to have their own metalworkers. This measure prevented them from making weapons. (1 Sam. 13:19-22) Doubtless for similar reasons Nebuchadnezzar took the metalworkers and other craftsmen captive the first time he assaulted Jerusalem.—2 Ki. 24:14, 16; Jer. 24:1; 29:1, 2.

METHEG-AMMAH

(Methʹeg·amʹmah) [bridle of the mother city].

King David took Metheg-ammah from the Philistines. (2 Sam. 8:1) Since no site by that name is known, Metheg-ammah may well be a figurative term designating one of the principal Philistine cities. The parallel passage at 1 Chronicles 18:1 says “Gath and its dependent towns.” Therefore, at 2 Samuel 8:1, David’s taking Metheg-ammah (“the bridle of the mother city,” AS) may mean that David gained the “bridle” or jurisdiction over Gath, the “mother city,” and thereby also control of its daughter-like dependent towns. This thought is conveyed by An American Translation, which reads “the control of the metropolis” instead of “Metheg-ammah.”

METHUSELAH

(Me·thuʹse·lah) [perhaps, man of the dart].

Son of the faithful prophet Enoch; father of Lamech and grandfather of Noah. (Gen. 5:21-29; 1 Chron. 1:1-4; Jude 14, 15) A descendant of Adam through Seth, Methuselah was of the eighth human generation. (Luke 3:37, 38) He enjoyed a life-span of 969 years, the longest of Bible record, and one that has become proverbial for longevity. He died in 2370 B.C.E., the year in which the Flood began. But, the Scriptures say that Methuselah “died,” not that he perished in the Deluge as a result of divine execution.—Gen. 5:27; see LIFE-SPAN.

METHUSHAEL

(Me·thuʹsha·el) [man of God].

A descendant of Cain through Enoch. Methushael was the son of Mehujael and the father of Lamech (not to be confused with Noah’s father Lamech).—Gen. 4:17, 18.

MEUNIM

(Me·uʹnim) [Heb., M^eʽu·nimʹ].

On the basis of the name, the Meunim are considered to have been an Arabian people residing in and around Maʽan, a city about twenty miles (32 kilometers) SE of Petra.

Judean King Uzziah (829-777 B.C.E.), with Jehovah’s help, successfully warred against the Meunim. (2 Chron. 26:1, 7) Perhaps at that time some of the Meunim captives were constituted temple slaves and, therefore, their descendants are later listed among the Nethinim returning from Babylonian exile.—Ezra 2:1, 2, 43, 50; Neh. 7:52; compare Psalm 68:18.

During Hezekiah’s reign (745-716 B.C.E.) a band of Simeonites struck down the tent-dwelling Meunim in the vicinity of Gedor.—1 Chron. 4:24, 39-41; see AMMONIM.

MEZAHAB

(Meʹza·hab) [waters of gold].

Parent of Matred and ancestor (or, perhaps, ancestress) of Mehetabel, the wife of Hadar (Hadad), the last named of the kings of Edom.—Gen. 36:31, 39; 1 Chron. 1:50.

MEZOBAITE

(Me·zoʹba·ite).

A term alluding to the home of Jaasiel.—1 Chron. 11:47.

MEZUZAH

Mezuzah (me·zuʹzah) [doorpost].

Anglicized form of the Hebrew word used in the Bible generally to designate a doorjamb or doorpost. M^ezu·zahʹ and the plural m^ezu·zohthʹ appear at Exodus 12:7, 22, 23, with reference to the sprinkling of the passover victim’s blood on doorposts, and at Exodus 21:6, regarding a slave who, desiring to remain in his master’s service, was brought up against the door or the “door-post” and had his master pierce his ear through with an awl. References are also made to doorposts of the temple constructed by Solomon (1 Ki. 6:31, 33; 7:5) and of the symbolic temple Ezekiel saw in vision.—Ezek. 41:21; 45:19; 46:2.

In modern times the Anglicized term “mezuzah” is used to denote a rectangular piece of parchment containing the Hebrew text of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:13-21, generally written in twenty-two lines. The parchment is rolled up and