### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew place name **ʼÂbêl Mᵉchôwlâh**, represented by `{{H65}}`, means **meadow of dancing**. It is identified as a place in Palestine and appears **3 times** across **3 unique verses** in the Bible. It serves as a specific geographical location in military, administrative, and biographical contexts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H65}}` is mentioned in three distinct situations. First, it marks a boundary point for the fleeing host after their defeat during Gideon's battle, where the LORD set every **man's** `{{H376}}` **sword** `{{H2719}}` against his **fellow** `{{H7453}}` [[Judges 7:22]]. It is also listed as part of an administrative district under King Solomon, assigned to **Baana** `{{H1195}}` the **son** `{{H1121}}` of **Ahilud** `{{H286}}` [[1 Kings 4:12]]. Finally, and most notably, it is identified as the hometown of the **prophet** `{{H5030}}` **Elisha** `{{H477}}`, who was to be **anointed** `{{H4886}}` to succeed Elijah [[1 Kings 19:16]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several people and places are directly associated with **ʼÂbêl Mᵉchôwlâh**:
* `{{H477}}` **ʼĔlîyshâʻ** (Elisha): Defined as "Elisha, the famous prophet," he is explicitly from **Abelmeholah** `{{H65}}` and was **anointed** `{{H4886}}` to be a **prophet** `{{H5030}}` over **Israel** `{{H3478}}` [[1 Kings 19:16]].
* `{{H8202}}` **Shâphâṭ** (Shaphat): Mentioned as the father of **Elisha** `{{H477}}` of **Abelmeholah** `{{H65}}` [[1 Kings 19:16]].
* `{{H1052}}` **Bêyth Shᵉʼân** (house of ease): A location in Palestine that helps geographically situate **Abelmeholah** `{{H65}}`. The territory assigned to **Baana** `{{H1195}}` extended "from Bethshean to Abelmeholah" [[1 Kings 4:12]].
* `{{H1195}}` **Baʻănâʼ** (Baana): An Israelite official whose administrative district included **Taanach** `{{H8590}}`, **Megiddo** `{{H4023}}`, and all of **Bethshean** `{{H1052}}` to **Abelmeholah** `{{H65}}` [[1 Kings 4:12]].
### Theological Significance
The significance of `{{H65}}` is tied directly to its role in the biblical accounts:
* **Geographical Marker:** It serves as a clear landmark in the narrative. In Judges, it defines the extent of the enemy's flight [[Judges 7:22]]. In 1 Kings, it helps delineate the boundaries of a royal administrative region [[1 Kings 4:12]].
* **Administrative Importance:** Its inclusion in one of Solomon's districts, alongside major cities like **Taanach** `{{H8590}}` and **Megiddo** `{{H4023}}`, indicates its relevance to the kingdom's organization and governance.
* **Origin of a Prophet:** The location is most famously the home of **Elisha** `{{H477}}`, the successor to Elijah. This anchors the beginning of Elisha's significant prophetic ministry to a specific place, **Abelmeholah** `{{H65}}` [[1 Kings 19:16]].
### Summary
In summary, **ʼÂbêl Mᵉchôwlâh** `{{H65}}` is a place that, while appearing infrequently, holds a distinct place in Israel's history. From being a border reached by a fleeing **host** `{{H4264}}` in the time of the Judges to its inclusion in Solomon's kingdom and its distinction as the hometown of the **prophet** `{{H5030}}` **Elisha** `{{H477}}`, the "meadow of dancing" connects military events, royal administration, and the lineage of prophetic ministry in the Old Testament.
TRV