מַחְלְקָה (mach.le.qah)
mach.le.qah
class
A:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun machleqah refers to a distinct class or division within a larger group. In the biblical text, it is used almost exclusively to describe the organized sections of priests and Levites who served in the temple. This term highlights the structured nature of Israel’s worship, where duties were assigned by lineage and order rather than randomly.
Its sole occurrence in Ezra 6:18 illustrates this practical application. After the return from exile, the people reestablished the temple services by appointing priests and Levites according to their machleqah. This division ensured that the sacred rituals were performed with precision and continuity, preserving the religious identity of the community during a critical period of restoration.
The word underscores the importance of order in ancient Israelite worship. By dividing the clergy into specific groups, the text emphasizes that service to God was a communal responsibility shared among designated families. This structure allowed for regular rotation of duties, ensuring that the temple remained a center of consistent spiritual life for the restored community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word machleqah points to a specific class or division within a larger group. In the Bible, it describes how priests and Levites were organized into distinct teams for temple service. This structure ensured that worship was orderly and consistent, reflecting God’s desire for harmony in His house.
For your faith, this reminds us that every believer has a role in the body of Christ. Just as ancient Israel relied on these divisions to maintain spiritual life, we find strength when we serve together in unity. Your unique gifts matter, and placing them in service brings glory to God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ classes/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּ/מַחְלְקָ֣תְ/ה֔וֹן1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 6:18
They set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God which is at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.
This verse shows the word applied to the specific organizational structure of priests and Levites after the exile, highlighting how order preserved worship.