patrial from אָבֵל מְחוֹלָה; a Mecholathite or inhabitant of Abel-Mecholah; Mecholathite.
Transliteration:Mᵉchôlâthîy
Pronunciation:mekh-o-law-thee'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H4259}}` (Mᵉchôlâthîy) is a gentilic noun, derived from the place name אָבֵל מְחוֹלָה (Abel-Meholah). As a gentilic, its core meaning denotes "an inhabitant of Abel-Meholah" or "one belonging to Abel-Meholah." Its semantic range is therefore highly specific and geographically circumscribed, primarily serving to identify a person's origin. The underlying place name, Abel-Meholah, combines `{{H66}}` (אָבֵל, "meadow" or "brook") and `{{H4246}}` (מְחוֹלָה, "dance" or "dancing place"), suggesting a "meadow of dancing" or "brook of the dance." While the gentilic `{{H4259}}` itself does not carry the semantic weight of "dance" or "meadow," it inextricably links the individual to this specific locale and its connotations.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While `{{H4259}}` exists as the specific gentilic form for an inhabitant of Abel-Meholah, it is noteworthy that the biblical text, in referring to the most prominent individual from this place, consistently uses the phrase "of Abel-Meholah" rather than the standalone gentilic. The primary and virtually sole association of Abel-Meholah in the biblical narrative is with the prophet Elisha.
The call of Elisha is recorded in [[1 Kings 19:16-21]]. Elijah is commanded by God to anoint "Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-Meholah as prophet in your place" [[1 Kings 19:16]]. When Elijah finds Elisha, he is actively engaged in agricultural labor: "Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth" [[1 Kings 19:19]]. This detail establishes Abel-Meholah as a place of ordinary, agrarian life. Elisha's immediate and decisive response to Elijah's call, leaving his oxen and burning his farming equipment, underscores the radical nature of his surrender to divine service. The repeated mention of his origin from Abel-Meholah emphasizes that God's prophetic call can come to individuals from seemingly unremarkable, everyday settings, transforming their lives for a divine purpose.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related terms are the constituent parts of the place name from which `{{H4259}}` derives:
* `{{H66}}` (אָבֵל - Abel): Often refers to a meadow, pasture, or a place associated with water (brook). It can also relate to mourning, though that sense is not relevant here.
* `{{H4246}}` (מְחוֹלָה - Meholah): Signifies a dance or a place of dancing. This root appears in contexts of celebratory or ritualistic movement.
* The full place name, Abel-Meholah, therefore evokes a "meadow of dancing," suggesting a fertile and perhaps joyful locale.
Beyond these lexical connections, `{{H4259}}` relates to the broader concept of **gentilic nouns** in Hebrew, which serve to identify individuals by their tribal, national, or geographical origin (e.g., "Israelite," "Moabite"). It also connects to the theme of **divine calling**, particularly as exemplified by Elisha's transition from an agrarian life to prophetic ministry.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H4259}}` is indirect, primarily deriving from its association with Elisha and the geographical context of his prophetic call.
1. **God's Sovereign Choice:** The fact that the great prophet Elisha originated from Abel-Meholah highlights God's sovereign freedom in choosing His servants. He does not exclusively call from centers of power or religious learning, but can raise up prophets from humble, agrarian backgrounds, as seen in [[1 Kings 19:19]]. This underscores that divine anointing is not limited by human status or location.
2. **The Mundane Made Sacred:** Abel-Meholah, a "meadow of dancing," represents a place of ordinary life and perhaps communal celebration. From this seemingly mundane setting, God calls a man to a life of profound spiritual authority and arduous service. This illustrates a recurring biblical theme: God often uses the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary, sanctifying everyday life through His divine purpose.
3. **Continuity of Prophetic Office:** Elisha, the "Mecholathite" by origin, was chosen to succeed Elijah, signifying the continuity of God's prophetic voice in Israel. His call from a specific, identifiable place grounds his ministry in the reality of Israel's land and history, affirming God's ongoing engagement with His people.
### Summary
`{{H4259}}` (Mᵉchôlâthîy) is a gentilic term meaning "an inhabitant of Abel-Meholah," a place whose name suggests a "meadow of dancing." Although the direct gentilic form does not appear in the biblical text, it is the proper designation for someone from this locale. Its primary biblical significance stems from its association with the prophet Elisha, who is consistently identified as being "of Abel-Meholah" in [[1 Kings 19:16]] and [[1 Kings 19:19]]. The word, therefore, points to God's sovereign choice to call His prophets from diverse, even humble, geographical and social contexts, demonstrating that divine purpose can transform the ordinary into the sacred. It underscores the principle that God's instruments are chosen by His will, irrespective of their worldly prominence or origin, to fulfill His ongoing work in the world.
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