מַקְהֵלֹת (maq.he.lot)
maq.he.lot
Makheloth
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun maqhelot means a place of assembly or gathering. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in Numbers as part of the itinerary recording the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. The word derives from the root qahal, which refers to a congregation or public meeting, giving the term a sense of organized community rather than random collection.
In these specific verses, maqhelot functions as a proper noun identifying one of the many stopping points during the Exodus wanderings. By naming this location, the text highlights that even in the desert, the people remained a structured group under divine guidance. The term underscores the communal nature of Israel’s identity, marking their movement not as isolated individuals but as a gathered nation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word maqhelot appears only twice in Scripture, marking a brief stop for Israel during their long journey through the wilderness. It comes from a root meaning 'assembly' or 'gathering,' suggesting that even in the desert, God’s people were not scattered individuals but a structured community under His care.
This reminds us that our faith is lived out among others. Like the Israelites at Makheloth, we are called to move forward together, supported by the fellowship of believers around us. Your presence in the church body matters, just as each campsite mattered in their journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- from/ Makheloth1×
- at/ Makheloth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִ/מַּקְהֵלֹ֑ת1×
- בְּ/מַקְהֵלֹֽת\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 33:25
They traveled from Haradah, and encamped in Makheloth.
This verse identifies Makhelot as a specific encampment, showing how God guided the assembly to a named place of rest.
-
Numbers 33:26
They traveled from Makheloth, and encamped in Tahath.
Here the text notes their departure from Makhelot, highlighting that gathering points are temporary stops on a longer journey.