MAASIA. — Of the numerous persons of this name, about twenty, mentioned in the Old Testament, the principal ones are:
1) A Levite of the family of Merari, singer and guardian of the sanctuary in the time of King David (1 Chron. 15, 18.2); the son of Adaiah, one of the chief men who assisted the high priest Jehoiada (v.) in dethroning Queen Athaliah and placing King Joash on the throne (2 Chron. 23, 1); a son, or, as others suppose, a servant of King Ahaz, killed by Zichri of the army of King Pekah (v.) during the Ephraimite invasion of the Kingdom of Judah (2 Chron. 28, 7); 4) the governor of Jerusalem, entrusted by King Josiah (v.) with the restoration of the temple (2 Chron. 34, 8); 5) one of the priests who explained the Law to the people upon their return from exile, alongside Ezra (Neh. 8, 7); 6) one of the leaders of the people who subscribed to the renewed covenant with Yahweh at the time of Nehemiah (Neh. 10, 25).