(or perhaps mik-kel-ohth') plural of (feminine) מַקֵּל; rods; Mikloth, a place in the Desert; Mikloth.
Transliteration:Miqlôwth
Pronunciation:mik-lohth'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term Miqlôwth (`{{H4732}}`) is etymologically derived from the plural of maqqēl (`{{H4731}}`), which signifies a "rod," "staff," or "branch." As such, its base meaning, if used as a common noun, would be "rods" or "staves." However, it is crucial to note that in all its biblical occurrences, Miqlôwth functions exclusively as a proper noun, referring to either a person or a place. This distinguishes its actual usage from its underlying semantic root. The proper noun manifests in two forms: "Mikloth" as a personal name and "Makheloth" as a geographical location. While the name "Makheloth" might hint at a place characterized by "rods" or "staves" (perhaps referring to trees, or even a place where staves were gathered or used), the texts themselves do not provide such descriptive context. Thus, its semantic range in biblical usage is limited to proper identification rather than conveying the common noun meaning of "rods."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Miqlôwth (`{{H4732}}`) appears in four verses within the Hebrew Bible, serving two distinct roles:
1. **As a Personal Name ("Mikloth"):**
* [[1 Chronicles 8:32]]: "And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And they also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them." Here, Mikloth is identified as a Benjaminite, part of a detailed genealogical record tracing the lineage of King Saul. He is listed as the father of Shimeah.
* [[1 Chronicles 9:38]]: "And Mikloth begat Shimeam. And they also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them." This verse is a near-identical repetition of [[1 Chronicles 8:32]], serving to confirm the genealogical information. The slight variation in the son's name (Shimeah vs. Shimeam) is likely a scribal variant or a legitimate alternative name for the same individual. In both instances, Mikloth is merely a name within a list, providing no further descriptive or narrative context.
2. **As a Place Name ("Makheloth"):**
* [[Numbers 33:25]]: "And they removed from Haradah, and pitched in Makheloth." This verse is part of the extensive itinerary of the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. Makheloth is listed as a specific encampment site.
* [[Numbers 33:26]]: "And they removed from Makheloth, and pitched in Tahath." This verse continues the itinerary, marking Makheloth as the preceding stop before Tahath.
In the context of the wilderness journey, Makheloth is simply one of the many named locations where the Israelites encamped. The text provides no details about the nature of this place, nor does it connect its name to the concept of "rods" or "staves." Its significance lies solely in its role as a point on the divinely guided journey.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word to Miqlôwth (`{{H4732}}`) is its singular root, maqqēl (`{{H4731}}`). This noun, meaning "rod," "staff," or "branch," carries significant symbolic weight in the Old Testament. Rods or staffs are frequently associated with:
* **Authority and Leadership:** As seen with Moses' staff (e.g., [[Exodus 4:2]], [[Exodus 7:9]]), which was an instrument of divine power and a symbol of his God-given authority.
* **Discipline and Correction:** The "rod of correction" is a common metaphor for disciplinary action (e.g., [[Proverbs 13:24]]).
* **Support and Comfort:** The shepherd's "rod and staff" provide comfort and guidance to the sheep (e.g., [[Psalm 23:4]]).
* **Tribal Identity:** Rods were used to represent tribes (e.g., [[Numbers 17:2]] for the rods of the tribal leaders).
While Miqlôwth itself, as a proper noun, does not directly embody these concepts, the underlying etymological connection to maqqēl enriches our understanding of the linguistic landscape from which such names emerged. The names "Mikloth" and "Makheloth" could, hypothetically, have been given due to some characteristic related to rods, though this remains speculative without further biblical context.
### Theological Significance
Given that Miqlôwth (`{{H4732}}`) functions exclusively as a proper noun in the biblical text, its direct theological significance is primarily found in its contribution to the historical and genealogical framework of God's redemptive plan.
* **For "Mikloth" (the person):** As a Benjaminite ancestor, Mikloth is part of the lineage that contributes to the tapestry of Israel's history. The careful recording of genealogies in books like Chronicles underscores God's faithfulness in preserving His people and His covenant promises through generations. Each name, though seemingly minor, contributes to the grand narrative of God's sovereign work in history.
* **For "Makheloth" (the place):** As a stopping point in the wilderness itinerary, Makheloth highlights God's meticulous guidance of Israel through their arduous journey. The detailed list of encampments in [[Numbers 33]] serves as a testament to God's presence with His people, leading them from place to place, providing for them, and fulfilling His promise to bring them to the Promised Land. The very act of naming these places, even without descriptive detail, emphasizes the reality and historicity of God's interaction with Israel. While the name itself doesn't carry explicit theological weight beyond its function as a geographical marker, it participates in the larger theological theme of divine providence and journey toward the promised inheritance.
### Summary
Miqlôwth (`{{H4732}}`) is a Hebrew term whose etymological root is the plural of maqqēl (`{{H4731}}`), meaning "rods" or "staves." However, in all its biblical occurrences, Miqlôwth` functions strictly as a proper noun. It designates a personal name, "Mikloth," found in the genealogies of the tribe of Benjamin ([[1 Chronicles 8:32]], [[1 Chronicles 9:38]]), and a place name, "Makheloth," listed as an encampment site during the Israelite wilderness wanderings ([[Numbers 33:25]], [[Numbers 33:26]]). Despite its underlying semantic connection to "rods," the biblical texts do not provide any further narrative or descriptive context that would tie the proper nouns to this root meaning. Its significance lies in its role within the historical and geographical framework of the biblical narrative, contributing to the detailed record of God's covenant people and their journey under divine guidance.
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