מַחֲלֹ֫קֶת (ma.cha.lo.qet)
ma.cha.lo.qet
division
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 35 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun machaloket denotes a division, share, or organized group derived from the root for dividing or allotting. While it can refer to a general portion or section, its most distinctive usage in Scripture is as a technical term for the twenty-four rotating courses of priests and Levites. This specialized meaning appears almost exclusively in the books of Chronicles, where it structures the narrative of temple worship.
Chronicles relies on this word to describe how service duties were distributed among the descendants of Aaron and Levi. It marks the shift from informal ministry to a regulated system of rotation, ensuring that worship continued without interruption. The text uses machaloket to list specific groups, such as those serving in Jerusalem or managing temple stores, highlighting an orderly approach to sacred tasks.
Translators typically render machaloket as "course," "division," or "company" depending on the context. In Joshua, it may refer to territorial allotments, but in Chronicles, it consistently points to personnel assignments. This distinction shows how the same word for a physical share can evolve into a term for scheduled religious service, reflecting the importance of structure in Israel's worship life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word machaloket describes a division or share, but its most striking use in Scripture is not about splitting things apart for conflict. Instead, it refers to the organized groups of priests and Levites assigned to serve in the temple. King David used this system to ensure that worship continued without interruption, rotating twenty-four courses of workers through their duties each month. This structure brought order to sacred service, allowing the community to focus on God while others managed the practical details.
For your faith life, this word reminds us that God values both passion and preparation. The Israelites did not rely on spontaneous chaos for their worship; they relied on a clear plan where everyone knew their role. When you serve in your church or home, you are part of a larger body. Your specific contribution matters, just as each priestly division mattered to the whole.
Even when life feels scattered, remember that God can bring order to your circumstances. He assigns roles and seasons with purpose. Whether you are leading or supporting, your faithful participation helps maintain the rhythm of grace in your community. Trust that your place in His plan is intentional and valued.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 35 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- division/ his12×
- [the] divisions of5×
- according to/ divisions/ their4×
- the/ divisions3×
- divisions/ their3×
- to/ divisions2×
- the/ division2×
- by/ divisions/ their2×
- and/ division/ his2×
- divisions1×
- by/ divisions1×
- and/ for/ [the] divisions of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַחֲלֻקְתּ֔/וֹ10×
- מַחְלְקוֹת֙2×
- מַחְלְק֨וֹת2×
- מַֽחֲלֻקְתּ֔/וֹ2×
- וּ/מַ֣חֲלֻקְתּ֔/וֹ2×
- מַחֲלֹ֣קֶת\׀1×
- מַחְלְקוֹתָ֞/ם1×
- מַחְלְקוֹתָ֖/ם1×
- מַחְלְקוֹתָ֑/ם1×
- מַחְלְק֥וֹת1×
- מַחְלְק֣וֹת1×
- מַחְלְק֑וֹת\ \ס1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 24:1
These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
This verse introduces the specific divisions of Aaron's sons, establishing the foundational structure for temple worship that machaloket defines.
-
I Chronicles 27:1
Now the children of Israel after their number, the heads of fathers’ households and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in any matter of the divisions which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year—of every division were twenty-four thousand.
Here the term expands to military and administrative groups, showing how the concept of organized rotation applied to all areas of national life under David.
-
I Chronicles 28:21
Behold, there are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of God’s house. Every willing man who has skill for any kind of service shall be with you in all kinds of work. Also the captains and all the people will be entirely at your command.”
David passes this structured system to Solomon, emphasizing that skilled service in God's house relies on these established divisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does machaloket mean in the Bible?
Why is machaloket important in 1 Chronicles?
How is machaloket different from other words for division?
Every Occurrence (35 verses across 4 books)
Joshua 3 verses
So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that Yahweh spoke to Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to…
Joshua 12:7These are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the children of Israel struck beyond the Jordan westward, from Baal Gad…
Joshua 18:10Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before Yahweh. There Joshua divided the land to the children of Israel according to…