Mahalath
“A lute, or possibly sickness”
Summary
Mahalath was the name of two women—a daughter of Ishmael who became Esau's wife, and a granddaughter of David who married King Rehoboam—and also appears as a musical term in the titles of Psalms 53 and 88.
☩Wife of Esau
Mahalath was a daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth, whom Esau took as wife when he saw that his Canaanite wives displeased his father Isaac. In Genesis 36:3 she is called Basemath—the Samaritan Pentateuch retains 'Mahalath' throughout both chapters, indicating these are two names for the same person. The discrepancy between the names has occasioned much discussion among scholars.
☩Wife of Rehoboam
Another Mahalath was a granddaughter of King David, being the daughter of Jerimoth (probably a son of David by a concubine not named in the regular lists). She married her cousin Rehoboam, son of Solomon, and was apparently one of his first wives, though no children are attributed to her and she is not mentioned again.
☩Musical Term
The word 'Mahalath' appears in the titles of Psalms 53 and 88 (the latter with the addition 'Leannoth'). Its meaning is uncertain. Some interpret it as referring to a mournful tune or plaintive style of singing; others suggest it denotes a harp or stringed instrument; still others connect it with the Hebrew word for 'sickness,' implying the subject matter concerns spiritual malady or affliction. The additional term 'Leannoth' in Psalm 88 may mean 'for afflicting' or 'for singing,' further indicating the melancholy character of that psalm.
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Mahalath," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Mahalath," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Mahalath," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Mahalath," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).