And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,
Verse 14. Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa] Where the first and last of these settled is not known; but it is probable that Dumah gave his name to a place called Dumah in Arabia. See a prophecy concerning this place, Isa 21:11, from which we find that it was in the vicinity of Mount Seir.
These three names have passed into a proverb among the Hebrews, because of their signification. mishma signifies HEARING; dumah, SILENCE; and massa, PATIENCE. Hence, “Hear much, say little, and bear much,” tantamount to the famous maxim of the Stoics, , “Sustain and abstain,” is supposed to be the spirit of the original words.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Dumah; from him Dumah, Isa 21:11, or Dumatha, a place in Arabia, seems to have recieved its name. Others make him the father of the Idumeans.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa. Of Mishma and Massa, and of their posterity, there is not anything said elsewhere, unless the Masani, Ptolemy p places near Arabia Felix, came from Massa. Dumah seems to be the same Isaiah speaks of in Ge 21:11; and in Arabia Deserta, where some of Ishmael’s posterity settled, is a place called Dumaetha, by Ptolemy q, which perhaps had its name from this son of his. The Targum of Jonathan translates these three names,
“hearing, silence, and patience;”
which the Jews use as a proverb, when they would signify that there are some things to be heard and not spoken of, and to be patiently borne. If Ishmael had in view to teach such lessons by the names he gave his children, he will seem to be a better man than he is usually thought to be.
p Georaph. l. 16. p. 528. 534. 536. q lbid.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Gen 25:14 And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,
Ver. 14. And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massah. ] Out of these three names – which signify hearing, silence, and suffering – the Masorites gather the three principal duties of man, in common conversation; viz., to hear, to keep silence, and bear: these, say they, make a quiet and good life. Sustine et abstine, is the philosopher’s a counsel. Video, Taceo, “I see, and say nothing,” was Queen Elizabeth’s b motto: and “I am for peace,” Psa 120:7 was David’s; or, as the Hebrew hath it, “I am peace.” He “heard the slander of many, fear was on every side”; Psa 31:13 but he “as a deaf man heard not, and as a dumb man, so he opened not his mouth”. Psa 38:13 Facile est in me dicere, cum non sim responsurus, said one once, to another that reviled him; thou shalt fight without an adversary, for I will hear and bear, and say nothing. The best answer to words of scorn and petulancy, saith learned Hooker, is Isaac’s apology to his brother Ishmael, patience and silence, no apology. P, . A man would not be bound to such a slavery as to answer every calumny. Qui nescit ferre calumnias, convitia, iniurias, nescit vivere, saith Chytraeus. He that cannot patiently bear reproaches and injuries, may make up his pack, and get him out of the world; for here is no being for him. Vitus Theodorus sent to advise with Melancthon, what he should do when Osiander preached against him: Melancthon per Deum obtestatur, ut taceret, et se ira gereret, quasi non audiret: Melancthon besought him, for God’s sake, to say nothing in that case, but to carry himself so as if he heard not. Vitus writes back, that this was very hard; yet he would obey. c It is hard to swallow down physical pills: but better swallow them whole, then chaw them between the teeth.
a A . Epictet.
b Cared. Elisab.
c Melch. Adam.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Dumah: Isa 21:11, Isa 21:16