Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning:The name "Abel-meholah" is often interpreted to mean "meadow of dancing" or "meadow of the dance," reflecting its likely fertile and vibrant nature. The Hebrew word "Abel" typically denotes a meadow or grassy area, while "meholah" is associated with dancing or festivity.
Biblical References:Abel-meholah is mentioned in several passages in the Old Testament, primarily in the context of its geographical and historical significance.
1.
Judges 7:22 · Abel-meholah is first mentioned in the account of Gideon's battle against the Midianites. After Gideon's army of 300 men defeated the Midianites, the enemy fled, and the pursuit extended to Abel-meholah: "When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set the sword of one man against another throughout the camp, and the army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath."
2.
1 Kings 4:12 · Abel-meholah is noted as part of the administrative district under the jurisdiction of Baana, one of Solomon's twelve district governors: "Baana son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, and all of Beth-shean next to Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah across to Jokmeam."
3.
1 Kings 19:16 · The prophet Elisha's origins are linked to Abel-meholah. God instructed Elijah to anoint Elisha, the son of Shaphat, from Abel-meholah, as a prophet to succeed him: "You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah as prophet in your place."
Geographical Location:Abel-meholah is believed to have been located in the Jordan Valley, possibly near the Jordan River. Its exact location remains uncertain, but it is generally thought to be in the vicinity of the modern-day Beit She'an Valley. The fertile nature of the area would have made it suitable for agriculture and settlement.
Historical and Cultural Context:Abel-meholah's mention in the context of Gideon's battle suggests its strategic importance during the period of the Judges. As part of Solomon's administrative districts, it indicates the region's integration into the broader governance and economic system of the united monarchy. The association with Elisha highlights its role in the prophetic tradition of Israel.
Significance in Biblical Narrative:Abel-meholah serves as a backdrop for significant biblical events, including military pursuits, administrative organization, and prophetic succession. Its mention in the context of Elisha's calling underscores the continuity of prophetic ministry in Israel and the divine orchestration of leadership transitions.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Abel-Meholahmourning of sickness
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Meadow of dancing, or the dancing-meadow, the birth-place and residence of the prophet Elisha, not far from Beth-shean (
1 Kings 4:12), in the tribe of Issachar, near where the Wady el-Maleh emerges into the valley of the Jordan, "the rich meadow-land which extends about 4 miles south of Beth-shean; moist and luxuriant." Here Elisha was found at his plough by Elijah on his return up the Jordan valley from Horeb (
1 Kings 19:16). It is now called `Ain Helweh.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ABEL-MEHOLAHa'-bel-me-ho'-lah ('abhel meholah, "meadow of dancing"): The residence of Elisha the prophet (1 Kings 19:16). When Gideon and his 300 broke their pitchers in the camp of Midian, the Midianites in their first panic fled down the valley of Jezreel and the Jordan "toward Zererah" (Judges 7:22). Zererah (Zeredah) is Zarethan (2 Chronicles 4:17; compare1 Kings 7:46), separated from Succoth by the clay ground where Solomon made castings for the temple. The wing of the Midianites whom Gideon pursued crossed the Jordan at Succoth (Judges 8:4). This would indicate that Abel-meholah was thought of as a tract of country with a "border," West of the Jordan, some miles South of Beth-shean, in the territory either of Issachar or West Manasseh.
Abel-meholah is also mentioned in connection with the jurisdiction of Baana, one of Solomon's twelve commissary officers (1 Kings 4:12) as below Jezreel, with Beth-shean and Zarethan in the same list. Jerome and Eusebius speak of Abel-meholah as a tract of country and a town in the Jordan valley, about ten Roman miles South of Beth-shean. At just that point the name seems to be perpetuated in that of the Wady Malib, and Abel-meholah is commonly located near where that Wady, or the neighboring Wady Helweh, comes down into the Jordan valley.
Presumably Adriel the Meholathite (1 Samuel 18:192 Samuel 21:8) was a resident of Abel-meholah. Willis J. Beecher
Strong's Hebrew
4259. Mecholathi -- inhab. ofAbel-meholah... 4258, 4259. Mecholathi. 4260 . inhab. of
Abel-
meholah. Transliteration: Mecholathi
Phonetic Spelling: (mekh-o-law-thee') Short Definition: Meholathite.
...65. Abel Mecholah -- Elisha's birthplace in Palestine
... Elisha's birthplace in Palestine. Transliteration: Abel Mecholah Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-bale' mekh-o-law') Short Definition:Abel-meholah....Abel-meholah....
Library
A Battle Without a Sword
... man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled
to Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border ofAbel-meholah, unto Tabbath.23...
Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha
the son of Shaphat ofAbel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room...
Prophets in their Country.
... But if it is general, it is not historically true; for Elijah did not suffer dishonour
in Tishbeth of Gilead, nor Elisha inAbelmeholah, nor Samuel in Ramathaim...
"What Doest Thou Here?"
... Hazael to be king over Syria: and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be
king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat ofAbel-meholah shalt thou...
Thesaurus
Abelmeholah (3 Occurrences)... Adriel the Meholathite (1 Samuel 18:19 2 Samuel 21:8) was a resident of
Abel-
meholah.
Willis J. Beecher. Multi-Version Concordance
Abelmeholah (3 Occurrences).
...Abel-meholah (3 Occurrences)
Abel-meholah.Abelmeholah,Abel-meholah. A'bel-Meho'lah . Easton's Bible
Dictionary...Abelmeholah,Abel-meholah. A'bel-Meho'lah . Reference Bible.
Meholah (4 Occurrences)
... sword against his fellow, and against all the army; and the army fled as far as
Beth Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border ofAbelMeholah, by Tabbath....
A'bel-Meho'lah (3 Occurrences)
A'bel-Meho'lah.Abel-meholah, A'bel-Meho'lah. Abelmizraim . Multi-Version
Concordance... (See RSV).Abel-meholah, A'bel-Meho'lah. Abelmizraim . Reference
Tabbath (1 Occurrence)
... tab'-ath (Tabbath; Codex Vaticanus Tabath; Gabath): A place named afterAbel-meholah
in the account of the Midianite flight before Gideon (Judges 7:23)....
Abel (22 Occurrences)
... sword against his fellow, and against all the army; and the army fled as far as
Beth Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border ofAbelMeholah, by Tabbath....
Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... and it is almost certain that he was born and reared atAbel-meholah, and was a... was
charged was to anoint Elisha, the son of Shaphat ofAbelmeholah, as prophet...
Beth (115 Occurrences)
... sword against his fellow, and against all the army; and the army fled as far as
Beth Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border ofAbelMeholah, by Tabbath....
Zererah (1 Occurrence)
... sword against his fellow, and against all the army; and the army fled as far as
Beth Shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border ofAbelMeholah, by Tabbath....
Resources
Who was King Jehu in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the tribe of Naphtali? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Abel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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