אָבֵל מְחוֹלָה
Abel-Mecholah, a place in Palestine
Definition
Abel-Mecholah is a proper noun referring to a specific town or settlement in ancient Israel, located in the Jordan Valley. Its name, meaning 'meadow of dancing' or 'stream of the circle,' likely describes its geographical features as a fertile, watered area. In the Bible, it is identified as the hometown of the prophet Elisha (1 Kings 19:16) and is mentioned as a location in the territory of Solomon's fifth administrative district (1 Kings 4:12). It also appears as a point in the route of the fleeing Midianite army after their defeat by Gideon (Judges 7:22).
Biblical Usage
The name Abel-Mecholah is used exclusively as a geographical location in the Old Testament. It appears in three distinct contexts: as a strategic point in a military narrative (Judges 7:22), as part of a list of Solomon's administrative regions (1 Kings 4:12), and as the designated hometown of the prophet Elisha (1 Kings 19:16). All occurrences are in historical books, solidifying its identity as a known Israelite town in the central Jordan Valley.
Etymology
The name is a compound of two Hebrew words: 'Abel' (H58, אָבֵל), meaning 'meadow' or 'stream,' and 'Mecholah' (H4246, מְחֹלָה), derived from the root 'to dance' (חול), meaning 'dancing' or 'circle.' Thus, the full name translates to 'meadow of dancing' or 'stream of the circle,' possibly referring to a fertile, circular plain or a place associated with celebratory gatherings.
Semantic Range
While primarily a geographical marker, Abel-Mecholah gains theological significance as the hometown from which God calls Elisha to be a prophet (1 Kings 19:16). This connects the location to the theme of divine calling and the continuation of the prophetic office from Elijah to Elisha. Understanding its name ('meadow of dancing') may also provide a subtle contrast to its role in a narrative of war (Judges 7) and its association with a prophet who would perform miracles.
As a town in the fertile Jordan Valley, Abel-Mecholah was part of a vital agricultural region. Its name suggests it may have been a place for communal gatherings or celebrations ('dancing'). In the ancient Near East, place names often described physical characteristics or notable events, making 'meadow of dancing' a plausible descriptor for a well-watered, open area suitable for such activities.
Abel-Shittim (H63) — Another 'Abel' (meadow) location, but associated with acacia trees. Abel-Beth-Maachah (H62) — A different 'Abel' town located in the far north of Israel.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →