### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew proper noun מַחְלִי (Machlîy), Strong's number `{{H4249}}`, is derived from the root חָלָה (*chalah*), Strong's number `{{H2470}}`, which signifies "to be sick," "to be weak," "to be diseased," or "to be ill." The name itself, therefore, carries the etymological sense of "sick" or "weak." As a personal name, it functions as an appellation rather than a descriptive adjective of the individual's state. While the root points to a state of infirmity, the name's usage in the biblical text does not necessarily imply that the individuals bearing it were perpetually unwell, but rather that the name itself was formed from this concept, perhaps reflecting circumstances at birth or common naming conventions of the time.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name Machli appears in the Old Testament as the name of two distinct individuals, both from the tribe of Levi, specifically within the lineage of Merari, one of Levi's three sons.
1. **Machli, Son of Merari:** The most prominent figure bearing this name is the elder son of Merari, and thus a grandson of Levi. He is listed in the patriarchal genealogies, establishing his place as a progenitor of a significant Levitical family, the Mahlites. His lineage is crucial for understanding the organization and service of the Levites in the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
* [[Exodus 6:19]]: "The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations."
* [[Numbers 3:20]]: "And the sons of Merari by their families were Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Merarites according to their generations."
* [[1 Chronicles 6:19]]: "The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi."
* [[1 Chronicles 23:21]]: "The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi."
* [[1 Chronicles 24:26]]: "The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri."
* [[Ezra 8:18]]: "And by the good hand of our God upon us, they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely Sherebiah, with his sons and his brothers, eighteen." This verse from Ezra highlights the continued importance of the Mahlite family line even into the post-exilic period, demonstrating their enduring role in the community.
2. **Machli, Son of Mushi:** A second individual named Machli is mentioned as a son of Mushi, who was himself a son of Merari. This would make this Machli a nephew or cousin of the first Machli, belonging to a later generation within the same Merarite branch.
* [[1 Chronicles 6:47]]: "The son of Mahli, the son of Mushi, the son of Merari." (Note: Some translations interpret this as a descendant of the first Machli, while others see it as a distinct Machli, son of Mushi. The genealogies can be complex.)
* [[1 Chronicles 23:23]]: "The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth, three."
* [[1 Chronicles 24:30]]: "The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth. These are the sons of the Levites according to their fathers' houses."
In both cases, Machli's significance in the biblical narrative is primarily genealogical. The individuals bearing this name are not portrayed with specific character traits or narrative actions, but rather serve as vital links in the priestly and Levitical lineages, demonstrating the meticulous record-keeping of Israelite tribal identity and divine appointment. The name's etymological meaning ("sick") is not explicitly commented upon in relation to these individuals' lives or service.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root `{{H2470}}` (חָלָה, *chalah*), from which Machli is derived. This root forms a semantic field around illness, weakness, and affliction.
* `{{H2483}}` (חֹלִי, *choli*): A direct noun form meaning "sickness," "disease," or "grief." This word appears in passages describing physical ailments, such as in [[Deuteronomy 28:59]] or [[Isaiah 53:3-4]] where it speaks of the suffering Servant.
* `{{H2480}}` (חָלָא, *chala*): "To be polluted, defiled," related in form but distinct in meaning, though sometimes seen as a possible semantic extension from "sickness" to "moral sickness."
* Concepts related to Machli's root include:
* **Infirmity and Frailty:** The human condition of weakness and susceptibility to illness, a stark contrast to divine power and health.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** God's ability to use all individuals, regardless of their perceived "weakness" (implied by the name's root), for His purposes. The Merarites, to whom Machli belonged, were responsible for carrying the heavy framework of the Tabernacle, a task requiring great strength, which may subtly highlight God's enabling power.
* **Genealogy and Identity:** The meticulous recording of lineages in Israel served to establish tribal identity, priestly succession, and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.
### Theological Significance
The name Machli, despite its etymological meaning of "sick" or "weak," is not presented in the biblical text as a theological statement about the individuals who bore it. Instead, its significance lies in its function within the divine plan for Israel's worship and tribal structure.
1. **God's Use of All:** The presence of a name meaning "sick" within the esteemed Levitical lineage, particularly among those responsible for the sacred service of the Tabernacle, can be seen as a subtle theological reminder that God uses all, even those whose very names might suggest frailty or vulnerability. Divine strength is often made perfect in human weakness ([[2 Corinthians 12:9]]).
2. **Faithfulness to Covenant:** The consistent mention of Machli and his descendants (the Mahlites) throughout various genealogies underscores God's faithfulness in preserving the Levitical line and ensuring the continuation of the priestly service according to His covenant with Levi. The name, therefore, becomes a marker within a larger narrative of divine providence and historical continuity.
3. **Human Condition:** The name can serve as a quiet, implicit acknowledgment of the universal human condition of susceptibility to illness and weakness, even among those chosen for sacred service. It grounds the divine narrative in the reality of human existence.
### Summary
Machli (`{{H4249}}`) is a Hebrew proper noun derived from the root `{{H2470}}` meaning "sick" or "weak." It primarily functions as the name of two distinct individuals within the Levitical tribe, both descendants of Merari. The more prominent Machli is a son of Merari, serving as the patriarch of the Mahlite family, whose lineage is crucial for understanding the organization of Levitical service in the Tabernacle and Temple, as evidenced in passages like [[Exodus 6:19]] and [[Numbers 3:20]]. A second Machli is a later descendant, a son of Mushi, also from the Merarite line ([[1 Chronicles 23:23]]). While the name's etymology points to infirmity, the biblical text does not attribute specific characteristics or narratives to these individuals based on their name's meaning. The theological significance of Machli lies primarily in his role as a genealogical marker, highlighting God's meticulous preservation of the Levitical lineage and His ability to use all individuals, irrespective of perceived human frailty, for the fulfillment of His divine purposes and the continuation of sacred service.
TRV