מָנַ֫חַת (ma.na.chat)
ma.na.chat
Manahath; Manahathite; Menuhoth
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The name Manahath means “rest” or “settlement,” appearing in Scripture as both a person and a place. It identifies a son of Shobal, who was a descendant of Seir the Horite, linking this figure to the early tribal history of Edom (Genesis 36:23). The name also refers to a location in the territory of Benjamin, which is equated with Menuhoth in one Chronicles passage (1 Chronicles 8:6).
Because the term derives from the root for resting or dwelling, it carries a sense of stability and habitation. In the genealogies, it marks a specific branch of the Horite lineage that integrated into the broader Israelite tribal records. The dual usage—applied to both an individual ancestor and a geographical site—reflects how ancient names often anchored family identity to a physical home.
Translators typically render Manahath as a proper noun, preserving its distinctiveness while acknowledging its semantic root. Its brief appearance in the biblical text serves primarily to trace lineage and territorial boundaries rather than to convey theological narrative. The word highlights the careful preservation of ancestral connections in the Hebrew Bible.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Manahath carries the quiet meaning of rest or settlement. In Genesis and Chronicles, it appears as both a person and a place, linking the Horite lineage to the broader history of Israel. This dual use shows how ancient families anchored their identity in specific locations, creating a sense of stability across generations.
For believers today, this word reminds us that our spiritual heritage is built on God’s faithfulness through time. Whether tracing ancestors or finding peace in a new chapter, the concept of rest points to divine provision. It invites reflection on how God establishes order and belonging within His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Manahath2×
- the/ Manahathite[s]1×
- of <the>/ Menuchite[s]1×
- Manahath1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מָנָֽחַת\׃1×
- וּ/מָנַ֛חַת1×
- וּ/מָנַ֖חַת1×
- הַ/מָּנַחְתִּ֖י1×
- הַ/מְּנֻחֽוֹת\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 36:23
These are the children of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.
This verse lists Manahath as a son of Shobal, establishing his place in the Horite genealogy before Israel’s settlement.
-
I Chronicles 8:6
These are the sons of Ehud. These are the heads of fathers’ households of the inhabitants of Geba, who were carried captive to Manahath:
Here Manahath is a geographical location where captives from Geba were settled, showing its role as a place of habitation.
-
I Chronicles 2:54
The sons of Salma: Bethlehem, the Netophathites, Atroth Beth Joab, and half of the Manahathites, the Zorites.
The mention of half the Manahathites among Salma’s sons connects this lineage to the tribal structure of Benjamin.