מַחְלָה (mach.lah)
mach.lah
Mahlah
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Mahlah, meaning "disease," appears in Scripture as two distinct women within the tribe of Manasseh. The most prominent is the eldest of five sisters who approached Moses in Numbers 26:33 and later secured their father’s inheritance in Joshua 17:3-4. Her story highlights a significant legal precedent where daughters could inherit land when there were no sons, ensuring the family line continued.
A second woman named Mahlah is listed in 1 Chronicles 7:18 as a descendant of Gilead, the sister of Ishhod and Abiezer, and the daughter of Hammolecheth. While less detailed in narrative, her inclusion preserves the genealogical record of the tribe during the period of the divided monarchy.
Though the name itself carries a negative connotation, its bearers are remembered for their faithfulness to their family’s heritage. The first Mahlah is celebrated for her courage in claiming inheritance rights, while the second maintains the tribal lineage recorded in Chronicles.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mahlah carries a heavy meaning, translating to "disease," yet it is attached to women who brought life and stability to their community. In Numbers, we meet Mahlah, one of five sisters who saw a gap in the law and stepped forward to fill it. They did not act out of rebellion, but from a desire to preserve their father’s legacy. Their story shows that faith often requires us to speak up when things are broken or unclear.
God listened to their request and established a new precedent for inheritance. This moment reminds us that our voices matter in the eyes of God. Even when we feel weak or named by hardship, we can be instruments of justice and preservation. The second Mahlah, listed in Chronicles, continues this thread of family history, ensuring that no name is forgotten.
When you face situations where fairness seems absent, remember these women. They trusted that God’s heart for justice was greater than the status quo. Your faithfulness to your family and community can create lasting change, even if it starts with a single courageous step.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Mahlah4×
- [was] Mahlah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַחְלָ֣ה4×
- מַחְלָֽה\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 27:1
Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
This verse marks the pivotal moment when Mahlah and her sisters formally present their case to Moses, initiating a legal change that protects family inheritance.
-
Numbers 36:11
for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to their father’s brothers’ sons.
Here we see how Mahlah’s marriage was regulated to keep the land within the tribe, showing the practical balance between individual rights and communal stability.
-
Joshua 17:3
But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
The narrative returns to Mahlah in Joshua to confirm that the inheritance promise made in Numbers was actually fulfilled when the land was divided.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Mahlah mean?
How many women named Mahlah are in the Bible?
Why is Mahlah important in Numbers?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 3 books)
Numbers 3 verses
Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah,…
Numbers 27:1Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the…
Numbers 36:11for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to their father’s brothers’…