from חָלָה; sickness; Machlah, the name apparently of two Israelitesses; Mahlah.
Transliteration:Machlâh
Pronunciation:makh-law'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word Machlâh (מַחְלָה, `{{H4244}}`) is derived from the root חָלָה (chalâh, `{{H2470}}`), which fundamentally means "to be sick," "to be weak," "to be diseased," or "to be grieved." As a common noun, מַחְלָה would denote "sickness" or "disease." However, in its biblical occurrences, Machlâh serves exclusively as a proper noun, a feminine personal name. Therefore, its semantic range extends from the literal concept of "sickness" (as its etymological origin) to its symbolic application as a name, which might have reflected the circumstances of birth, a hope for healing, or a lament, though the text itself does not elaborate on the specific reasons for the naming. The name itself does not imply that the individuals bearing it were physically ill.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Machlâh (`{{H4244}}`) appears in the Hebrew Bible exclusively as the name of two Israelite women, both from the tribe of Manasseh.
1. **Machlah, Daughter of Zelophehad:** This is the more prominent figure. She is one of the five daughters of Zelophehad, son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh. Her story is crucial for understanding Israelite inheritance law:
* [[Numbers 26:33]]: She is first listed among the descendants of Manasseh, noting that Zelophehad had only daughters.
* [[Numbers 27:1]]: Machlah, along with her sisters Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah, boldly approaches Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the congregation at the tabernacle entrance. They petition for their father's inheritance, as he died without sons. This daring appeal leads to a landmark legal precedent.
* [[Numbers 36:11]]: Following the divine ruling in their favor, they are commanded to marry within their own tribe to prevent the transfer of tribal land inheritance to another tribe, thus preserving the integrity of the tribal allocations.
* [[Joshua 17:3]]: Their inheritance is confirmed during the distribution of the land of Canaan, solidifying the legal precedent established in Numbers.
In these narratives, Machlah's name functions as a personal identifier. The accounts do not attribute any physical sickness or weakness to her or her sisters. Their significance lies in their courageous advocacy for justice and their instrumental role in shaping Israelite law regarding female inheritance.
2. **Machlah, Daughter of Hammolecheth:** She is mentioned in [[1 Chronicles 7:18]] as a descendant of Manasseh through Machir and Gilead. "And his sister Hammolecheth bare Ishhod, and Abiezer, and Mahlah." This Machlah is distinct from the daughter of Zelophehad, though both are from the same tribal lineage. The text provides no further details about this individual.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **חָלָה (chalâh, `{{H2470}}`):** The root verb from which Machlâh is derived, meaning "to be sick," "to be weak," "to be grieved," or "to wound." This root is widely used in the Old Testament to describe physical illness ([[2 Kings 1:2]], [[Isaiah 38:1]]) as well as spiritual or emotional distress ([[Psalm 6:2]], [[Jeremiah 14:17]]).
* **מַחֲלֶה (machaleh, `{{H4245}}`):** A masculine noun directly meaning "sickness," "disease," or "distress," also derived from חָלָה. This is the more common noun form for "sickness."
* **מַחֲלוּי (machaluy, `{{H4246}}`):** Another noun meaning "sickness" or "pain," also from the same root.
* **Inheritance Law and Gender (נַחֲלָה, nachalah, `{{H5159}}`):** The narrative involving Machlah, daughter of Zelophehad, is intrinsically linked to the broader biblical themes of inheritance, land tenure, and the legal status of women. Their petition in [[Numbers 27]] and the subsequent divine ruling demonstrate God's concern for justice and the preservation of family lines and tribal patrimony, even in the absence of male heirs. This innovative legal precedent highlights the dynamic nature of God's law as it addresses specific societal needs.
* **Divine Providence and Justice:** The resolution of the daughters' petition exemplifies God's direct intervention in legal matters, providing a precedent that ensures the continuation of family lines and the just distribution of land in the Promised Land.
### Theological Significance
While the name Machlâh literally means "sickness," its theological significance is primarily found in the profound narratives in which it appears, particularly the account of Zelophehad's daughters, rather than in the etymology of the name itself.
* **God's Justice and Inclusivity:** The story of Zelophehad's daughters, led by Machlah (as the first named), powerfully illustrates God's justice and His responsiveness to the marginalized. In a patriarchal society where land inheritance typically passed exclusively through sons, their bold petition challenged existing norms. God's ruling in their favor ([[Numbers 27:6-8]]) established a new legal precedent, ensuring that families without male heirs would not lose their ancestral land. This demonstrates God's concern for the welfare of all His people, including women, and His willingness to adapt or expand legal frameworks to ensure equity and prevent hardship. It reveals a God who hears the cries of the vulnerable and provides for their needs, even if their name might evoke a state of vulnerability or "sickness."
* **Preservation of Tribal Identity and Land:** The subsequent command for Zelophehad's daughters to marry within their own tribe ([[Numbers 36]]) underscores the theological importance of preserving tribal land inheritance and identity. This was crucial for maintaining the divinely ordained distribution of the Promised Land and the distinct identity of each tribe within Israel.
* **Overcoming Adversity (Implicit):** If the name "Machlah" indeed suggested "sickness" or "weakness," then the narrative of Zelophehad's daughters could be seen as a powerful counter-narrative. Despite a name that might imply vulnerability, Machlah and her sisters demonstrated remarkable strength, faith, and agency, successfully advocating for their rights and securing their inheritance. Their story transforms a potential "sickness" (the "affliction" of lacking a male heir for inheritance purposes) into a pathway for divine provision and justice.
### Summary
The Hebrew word Machlâh (`{{H4244}}`), derived from the root חָלָה (`{{H2470}}`), etymologically signifies "sickness" or "weakness." However, in the biblical text, Machlâh functions exclusively as a feminine proper noun, naming two Israelite women. The most notable bearer of this name is Machlah, one of Zelophehad's five daughters, whose story is central to the development of Israelite inheritance law. Alongside her sisters, she boldly petitioned Moses for their family's land inheritance in the absence of male heirs, leading to a divine decree that established a groundbreaking precedent for female land ownership in ancient Israel. This narrative profoundly illustrates God's justice, His responsiveness to the marginalized, and His concern for the equitable distribution and preservation of tribal land. While the name's etymology suggests vulnerability, the biblical account of Machlah and her sisters paradoxically portrays strength, legal ingenuity, and the triumph of divine provision over societal challenges, demonstrating God's meticulous care for all members of His covenant people.
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