Lexical Definition
מַחֲלַת Machălath (makh-al-ath') Mahalath N:N-F-P
the same as מַחֲלַת; sickness
Mahalath.
- § Mahalath = "stringed instrument"
- Machalath, the name of an Ishmaelitess and of an Israelitess
1) daughter of Jerimoth son of king David and wife, evidently the 1st, of king Rehoboam the grandson of king David
2) daughter of Ishmael and wife of Esau
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| מָחֲלַ֣ת | Mahalath | Gen.28.9 |
Extended Information
- A woman of the Arabs living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.28.9
- daughter of: Ishmael (יִשְׁמָעֵאל)
- sister of: Nebaioth (נְבָיוֹת), Kedar (קֵדָר), Adbeel (אַדְבְּאֵל), Mibsam (מִבְשָׂם), Mishma (מִשְׁמָע), Dumah (דּוּמָה), Massa (מַשָּׂא), Hadad (חֲדַד), Tema (תֵּימָא), Jetur (יְטוּר), Naphish (נָפִישׁ) and Kedemah (קֵדְמָה); married to Esau (עֵשָׂו)
- mother of: Reuel (רְעוּאֵל); also called Basemath (KJV: Bashemath) at Gen.36.3, 4, 10, 13, 17
- Also named: bos.mat (בָּֽשְׂמַת "Basemath" בׇּשְׂמַת)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. מַחֲלַת
proper name, feminine 1. daughter of Ishmael Gen 28:9, ᵐ5 Μαελεθ.
2. granddaughter of David 2Chr 11:18, ᵐ5 Μολλαθ; ᵐ5L Μαελλεθ.
מְחֹלַת see מְחוֺלָה below I. חול.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Genesis | 28:9 |
| 2 Chronicles | 11:18 |
Profile
Female • Esau's wife • Esau's wife, daughter of Ishmael
Woman living at the time of the Patriarchs
Mahalath, also known as Basemath, was one of Esau's wives, a daughter of Ishmael (Gen.28.9; 36.3,4,10,13,17).
- A woman of the Arabs living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.28.9;
- referred to as Mahalath מַחֲלַת, or Basemath (KJV= Bashemath) בׇּשְׂמַת;
- daughter of Ishmael יִשְׁמָעֵאל;
- a sister of Nebaioth נְבָיוֹת, Kedar קֵדָר, Adbeel אַדְבְּאֵל, Mibsam מִבְשָׂם, Mishma מִשְׁמָע, Dumah דּוּמָה, Massa מַשָּׂא, Hadad חֲדַד, Tema תֵּימָא, Jetur יְטוּר, Naphish נָפִישׁ and Kedemah קֵדְמָה;
- wife of Esau עֵשָׂו;
- mother of Reuel רְעוּאֵל.
Mahalath, also referred to as Basemath, was one of the wives of Esau, the son of Isaac and the twin brother of Israel (or 'Jacob') (Gen.28.9; 36.3). She was the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son with Hagar, making her Esau's cousin (Gen.28.9). Esau married Mahalath in addition to his other wives, who were Hittite women (Gen.26.34; 28.8-9). This marriage likely strengthened the ties between Esau's descendants, the Edomites, and the Ishmaelites. Mahalath is mentioned in the genealogies of Esau, which list his wives, children, and descendants (Gen.36.4,10,13,17). These genealogies emphasize the importance of family lineage and the relationships between different people groups in the ancient Near East. The Bible does not provide further details about Mahalath's personal life or her role in the family dynamics of Esau's household. Her inclusion in the biblical record primarily serves to document Esau's marital alliances and the ancestry of the Edomites.
All entries for Mahalath or Basemath: מַחֲלַת ☩ בׇּשְׂמַת