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) |
|---|---|---|
| מָ֣חֲלַ֔ת | Mahalath | 2Chr.11.18 |
Extended Information
- A woman of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Ch.11.18
- daughter of: Jerimoth (יְרִימוֹת) and Abihail (אֲבִיהַיִל); married to Rehoboam (רְחַבְעָם)
- mother of: Jeush (יְעוּשׁ), Shemariah (שְׁמַרְיָה), Zaham (זַהַם)
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 • Daughter of Jerimoth • Rehoboam's wife, granddaughter of David
Woman living at the time of Divided Monarchy
Mahalath was one of King Rehoboam's wives, a granddaughter of David through his son Jerimoth (2Ch.11.18).
- A woman from the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 2Ch.11.18;
- only referred to as Mahalath מַחֲלַת;
- a daughter of Jerimoth יְרִימוֹת and Abihail אֲבִיהַיִל;
- wife of Rehoboam רְחַבְעָם;
- mother of Jeush יְעוּשׁ, Shemariah שְׁמַרְיָה, Zaham זַהַם.
Mahalath is mentioned in 2 Chronicles as one of the wives of King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and the first king of the Kingdom of Judah after the division of the united monarchy (2Ch.11.18). She was the daughter of Jerimoth, who was a son of David, making her a granddaughter of King David. Rehoboam's marriage to Mahalath, along with his other wife Abihail, is recorded in the context of his family life and his establishment of his royal household (2Ch.11.18-23). The chronicler notes that Rehoboam loved Mahalath and Abihail more than his other wives and concubines (2Ch.11.21). This marriage alliance with a descendant of David likely served to strengthen Rehoboam's claim to the throne and his connection to the Davidic dynasty. No further details are provided about Mahalath's personal life or her influence in the royal court. Her inclusion in the biblical record highlights the importance of marital alliances and family lineage in the political and social structure of the Judean monarchy.
All entries for Mahalath: מַחֲלַת