MAASIA. — Of the numerous persons bearing this name, about twenty, mentioned in the Old Testament, the principal ones are:
1) A Levite of the lineage of Merari, singer and guardian of the sanctuary in the time of King David (I Par. 15:18, 20); 2) the son of Adaiah, one of the leading men Ioiada (v.) in dethroning the queen Athalia and placing King Ioas on the throne (II Par. 23:1); 3) a son, or, as others suppose, a servant of King Achaz, killed by Zechri PHARES (v.) during the Syro-Ephraimite invasion of the Kingdom of Judah (II Par. 28:7); 4) the governor of Jerusalem, Iosia (v.) charged with restoring the temple (II Par. 34:8); 5) one of the priests who, upon the return from exile, expounded the Law to the people alongside Esdra (Neh. 8:7); 6) one of the leaders of the people who subscribed to the renewed covenant with Jahweh in the time of Nehemia (Neh. 10:25).