סֶלַע הַמַּחְלְקוֹת (se.la ham.mach.le.qot)
se.la ham.mach.le.qot
Rock of Escape
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The phrase Sela-hammahlekoth translates to "Rock of Escape" or "Cliff of Divisions." It refers to a specific geographical location in the wilderness of Maon, situated southeast of Hebron. This site is recorded as the place where David narrowly avoided capture by Saul, allowing him to slip away to safety.
The second part of the name, mahlekoth, derives from a root suggesting smoothness or division. In this context, it likely describes the terrain that facilitated David’s flight, perhaps a steep slope or a dividing ridge that separated him from his pursuers. The sources identify it as a singular event marker in 1 Samuel 23:28, highlighting a moment of divine deliverance through physical geography.
Because this proper noun appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, it serves as a unique historical footnote rather than a theological term. It anchors the narrative of David’s flight, reminding readers that his survival often depended on both strategic movement and the specific contours of the land he knew well.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels like a chase with no clear exit, this ancient name reminds us that God provides specific places of safety. The phrase 'Rock of Escape' marks a real spot in the wilderness where David slipped away from Saul’s anger. It shows how physical geography can become an instrument of divine protection.
You may not have a literal cliff to hide behind, but you can trust that God creates opportunities for peace even when threats seem close. The land itself helped David breathe again. In your own struggles, look for the small openings God opens—moments of rest, help from friends, or sudden clarity. These are modern 'rocks' where you can catch your breath and remember you are not alone.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Sela1×
- Hammahlekoth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סֶ֖לַע1×
- הַֽמַּחְלְקֽוֹת\׃1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 23:28
So Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines. Therefore they called that place Sela Hammahlekoth.
This verse names the location, showing how a moment of narrow escape became a permanent marker of God's deliverance in David's life.