Mijamin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mijamin is a name meaning "right hand" that is associated with several figures in the Hebrew Bible. Most notably, Mijamin was a priest of ancient Israel after the order of Aaron, during the reign of King David in the 10th century BCE. Mijamin lead the sixth of the 24 priestly divisions or sacerdotal courses. The biblical passage of 1 Chronicles 24 documents the division of the priests during the reign of King David. These priests were all descendants of Aaron, who had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. However, Nadab and Abihu died before Aaron and only Eleazar and Ithamar had sons. One priest, Zadok, from Eleazar's descendants and another priest, Ahimelech, from Ithamar's descendants were designated to help create the various priestly orders. Sixteen of Eleazar's descendants were selected to head priestly orders while only eight of Ithamar's descendants were so chosen. The passage states that this was done because of the greater number of leaders among Eleazar's descendants. Lots were drawn to designate the order of ministering for the heads of the priestly orders when they entered the temple. Since each order was responsible for ministering during a different week, Mijamin's order was stationed as a watch at the Tabernacle during the sixth week of the year on the Hebrew calendar.
Another Mijamin, likely a descendant of the former Mijamin, is mentioned in Nehemiah 10:7 as one of the leaders who signed the covenant with Nehemiah on behalf of his clan. In Nehemiah 12:5, a priest named Mijamin is reported to have returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel and Joshua.
Another Mijamin who was "from the Israleites" and based on context believed not to be a priest in the priestly family of Mijamin, is mentioned in Ezra 10:25 as one of those who had taken a foreign wife. This Mijamin was among those who agreed to give up his foreign wife and offered a ram as a guilt offering.
