(Heb. Mibsam', מַבְשָׂם , fragrance), the name of two men.
1. (Sept. Μασσάμ . v.r. in Chronicles Μαβσάν .) The fourth named of the twelve sons of Ishmael, and head of an Arabian tribe bearing his name (Genesis 15:13; .1 Chronicles 1:29). B.C. post 2061. " The signification of his name has led some to propose an identification of the tribe sprung from him with some one of the Abrahamic tribes settled in Arabia aromatifera, and a connection with the balsam of Arabia is suggested (Bunsel, Bibelwerk; Kalisch, Genesis, page 483). The situation of Mekkeh is well adapted for his settlements, surrounded as it is by traces of other Ishmaelitish tribes; nevertheless the identification seems fanciful and farfetched." (See ARABIA).
2. Sept. Μαβασαν v.r. Μαβασάμ .) The son of Shallurm and father of Michma, apparently the grandson of Shaul, a son of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:25). B.C. ante 1658.