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מַחֲלֹקֶת

𐤌𐤇𐤋𐤒𐤕

machălôqeth

H4256 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חלק to divide, to allot, to apportion

Definition

A division, section, or group partitioned for organizational purposes; frequently refers to an assigned division among priests, Levites, or military units. The term is also used to denote an allotted portion or assigned share in social and administrative contexts. Its primary sense is that of a distinct group separated by function or assignment within a larger collective.

Semantic Range

division, section, group or course (especially of priests, Levites, or soldiers); allocated share or portion; assigned unit within a larger collectivity

Root / Etymology

The noun מַחֲלֹקֶת derives from the root חָלַק (ח-ל-ק), meaning 'to divide, apportion, allot.' The nominal pattern with mem-prefix (maqtal) often denotes an instrument or place of action, thus 'a division' or something apportioned. It is built upon the root sense of separation or distribution, but used concretely of social or organizational divisions.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, מַחֲלֹקֶת primarily designates an organized group, especially in the lists of Levitical and priestly divisions for turn-based service in the sanctuary (e.g., 1 Chronicles 23–26). It is also used for military groupings or tribal sections. The word is sometimes extended to any discrete portion or share, but its technical use in administrative, temple, or military organization distinguishes it from related terms like חֵלֶק (ḥēleq, 'portion, share,' with more economic nuance) and פָּלַג or פְּלַגָּה (p'alag, 'to divide'; p'laggah, 'division, especially for water'). Standard English translations as 'division' or 'course' are accurate but sometimes obscure its technical administrative role and priestly connotations. The meaning of the word remained relatively consistent from monarchic through post-exilic periods, with greater systematization in later temple practice. There is no inherent religious overtone in the word itself, but its most frequent context is ritual or organizational assignment among Israelites or Judahites. Later translation traditions occasionally use terms like 'course' or, anachronistically, 'Jewish division', but this reflects later religious developments, not the biblical text's original setting.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from חָלַק; a section (of Levites, people or soldiers); company, course, division, portion. See also סֶלַע הַמַּחְלְקוֹת.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חלק (ḥ-l-q) — to divide, to allot, to apportion

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2505 חָלַק I will apportion
H2506 חֵלֶק in allotted portion of
H2507 חֵלֶק allotted portion
H2508 חֲלָק smooth
H2509 חָלָק smooth

Word Forms

15 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4256-11 מַֽחֲלֻקְתּ֔/וֹ machaluqeto HNcfsc/Sp3ms his division his assigned division 12
H4256-12 מַחְלְק֥וֹת macheleqot HNcfpc divisions divisions of 7
H4256-13 מַחְלְקוֹתָ֔/ם macheleqotam HNcfpc/Sp3mp their divisions their apportioned divisions 4
H4256-06 כְּ/מַחְלְקֹתָ֖/ם kemacheleqotam HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp according to their divisions according to their allotted divisions 3
H4256-05 הַֽ/מַּחְלְק֗וֹת hamacheleqot HTd/Ncfpa the divisions the assigned divisions 3
H4256-15 וּ/מַ֣חֲלֻקְתּ֔/וֹ umachaluqeto HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms and his division and his allotted division 2
H4256-04 הַֽ/מַּחֲלֹ֨קֶת֙ hamachaloqet HTd/Ncfsa the division the apportioned division 2
H4256-09 לְ/מַחְלְק֖וֹת lemacheleqot HR/Ncfpa divisions to allotted divisions 2
H4256-14 וּֽ/לְ/מַחְלְקוֹת֙ ulemacheleqot HC/R/Ncfpc for the divisions and for divisions of 1
H4256-02 בְּ/מַחְלְקוֹתָ֖/ם bemacheleqotam HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp by their divisions in their apportioned divisions 1

Occurrences in Scripture

42 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4256-06 Joshua 11:23 כְּ/מַחְלְקֹתָ֖/ם kemacheleqotam HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp according to their divisions according to their allotted divisions
H4256-06 Joshua 12:7 כְּ/מַחְלְקֹתָֽ/ם kemacheleqotam HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp according to their divisions according to their allotted divisions
H4256-06 Joshua 18:10 כְּ/מַחְלְקֹתָֽ/ם kemacheleqotam HR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp according to their divisions according to their allotted divisions
H4256-13 Ezekiel 48:29 מַחְלְקוֹתָ֔/ם macheleqotam HNcfpc/Sp3mp their portions their apportioned divisions
H4256-12 Nehemiah 11:36 מַחְלְק֥וֹת macheleqot HNcfpc divisions divisions of
H4256-12 1 Chronicles 23:6 מַחְלְק֑וֹת macheleqot HNcfpa divisions divisions of
H4256-13 1 Chronicles 24:1 מַחְלְקוֹתָ֑/ם macheleqotam HNcfpc/Sp3mp their divisions their apportioned divisions
H4256-09 1 Chronicles 26:1 לְ/מַחְלְק֖וֹת lemacheleqot HR/Ncfpa for the divisions to allotted divisions
H4256-12 1 Chronicles 26:12 מַחְלְק֨וֹת macheleqot HNcfpc divisions divisions of
H4256-12 1 Chronicles 26:19 מַחְלְקוֹת֙ macheleqot HNcfpc divisions divisions of
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