אָבֵל מְחוֹלָה (a.vel me.cho.lah)
a.vel me.cho.lah
Abel-meholah
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Abel-meholah translates to "meadow of dancing" or "dance-meadow," identifying a specific locality in the territory of Issachar. This place is noted primarily as the birthplace of the prophet Elisha, marking it as a setting for his early life before he was called to ministry.
The components of the name combine abel, likely meaning meadow or plain, with meholah, relating to dancing. While other biblical locations share the "Abel" prefix, such as Abel-maim in Moab or Abel-kheramim in Ammon, this entry specifically points to the city associated with Elisha’s origins.
References to Abel-meholah appear only three times in Scripture, most notably in 1 Kings 19:16 where God instructs Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor. The sparse mentions highlight its role as a geographical marker for the prophet’s background rather than a center of major political events.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Abel-meholah means "meadow of dancing." It was a quiet place in the territory of Issachar, far from the noise of royal courts. Yet this small town became significant because it was the home of Elisha before God called him to be a prophet.
God chose Elisha not from a palace, but from an ordinary field. This reminds us that God often works through people in simple settings. He sees potential where others might see only a quiet village. Your own background does not limit what God can do with your life.
When you feel overlooked or small, remember Elisha’s story. God knows the place where you are and the person you are becoming. He calls us to faithfulness in our daily lives, wherever we may be.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Meholah3×
- Abel2×
- from/ Abel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְחוֹלָ֔ה2×
- מֵ/אָבֵ֣ל1×
- מְחוֹלָ֖ה1×
- אָבֵ֥ל1×
- אָבֵ֣ל1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 19:16
Anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi to be king over Israel; and anoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah to be prophet in your place.
This verse identifies Elisha by his hometown, showing that God chose him from a specific, ordinary place to succeed Elijah.
-
Judges 7:22
They blew the three hundred trumpets, and Yahweh set every man’s sword against his fellow and against all the army; and the army fled as far as Beth Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath.
The mention here marks the western boundary of Gideon’s victory, linking the name to a moment of divine deliverance for Israel.
-
I Kings 4:12
Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth Shean which is beside Zarethan, beneath Jezreel, from Beth Shean to Abel Meholah, as far as beyond Jokmeam;
This administrative list places Abel-meholah within Solomon’s district, indicating it was a recognized town during the kingdom’s peak.