מַחֲלַת (ma.cha.lat)
ma.cha.lat
Mahalath
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Mahalath identifies two distinct women in Scripture who share a title meaning "stringed instrument" or "music." In Genesis, she is the daughter of Ishmael and wife of Esau, a union that highlights the complex family ties between the descendants of Jacob and Esau. The text notes she is also called Basemath, suggesting these names may refer to the same individual within the patriarchal narratives.
Centuries later, the name appears in 2 Chronicles as the daughter of Jerimoth and wife of King Rehoboam. This Mahalath was a mother of several sons who served under Judah’s first king. The recurrence of a name meaning "music" or "joyful noise" for women in these royal and tribal lines adds a subtle cultural layer to their brief mentions.
While the biblical text does not elaborate on their personal lives, the shared name connects two different eras of Israelite history. It serves as a linguistic marker linking the early patriarchal period with the later monarchy, reminding readers that names often carry meanings that reflect the hopes or characteristics associated with a family line.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mahalath carries a gentle resonance, often linked to music or joy. In Genesis, Esau takes Mahalath as his wife, weaving the family lines of Ishmael and Isaac together through marriage. This union shows how God’s promises unfold through complex human relationships, even when those choices are not perfect. It reminds us that history is shaped by real people with real connections.
Centuries later, another Mahalath marries into the royal line of Judah, becoming part of King Rehoboam’s household. Though the Bible does not record her personal prayers or struggles, her name appears in the genealogy of kings. These brief mentions suggest that every life, no matter how quietly it passes through Scripture, holds a place in God’s larger story.
When we read these names, we are invited to see the continuity of faith across generations. The recurrence of Mahalath links the patriarchs with the monarchy, showing that God’s work moves through families and history. We can trust that He is present in the ordinary moments of our own lives, weaving them into something meaningful.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Mahalath2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מָחֲלַ֣ת\׀1×
- מָ֣חֲלַ֔ת1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 28:9
So Esau went to Ishmael, and took, in addition to the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth, to be his wife.
This verse records Esau’s marriage to Mahalath, highlighting the blending of tribal lines and the complex family dynamics within the patriarchal narratives.
-
II Chronicles 11:18
Rehoboam took a wife for himself, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse.
Here Mahalath is identified as a wife of Rehoboam, connecting the royal house of Judah to the lineage of David and Jesse through her father Jerimoth.