Calcol
“Sustenance or comprehension”
Summary
A son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah, noted as one of the wise men with whom Solomon was compared.
☩Identity and Wisdom
Calcol (also spelled Chalcol) is mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31 as one of the wise men with whom Solomon was compared, the text stating that Solomon's wisdom 'excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt, for he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol.' In 1 Chronicles 2:6, Calcol is called a son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah and a brother of Heman and Ethan. The apparent discrepancy (being called 'son of Mahol' in one passage and 'son of Zerah' in another) may indicate that 'sons of Mahol' was a title meaning 'sons of dance' or 'masters of music' rather than a literal genealogical designation.
Related Verses1 mention
1 Chronicles· 1 verse
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Calcol," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).