מַקְהֵלֹת
𐤌𐤒𐤄𐤋𐤕
Maqehelot
H4722 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper noun: Makheloth – a geographical location, likely a station or encampment mentioned in the list of Israelite journeys through the wilderness (Num 33:25-26). As a common noun, plural of 'assembly' or 'congregation,' but predominantly used as a place name in biblical contexts. Semantic range includes: (1) a named location associated with the Israelite wilderness wanderings; (2) the plural of 'assembly' in a generic sense, but used almost exclusively as a toponym in the Hebrew Bible.
Semantic Range
Makheloth (a campsite during the wilderness period); (plural) assemblies, gatherings (rare, only as toponym here)
Root / Etymology
From the feminine plural of the root קהל (q-h-l), meaning 'to assemble' or 'gather together.' Maqhêlôth (מַקְהֵלֹת) is the feminine plural form, but used here as a toponym (place name) likely derived from the sense 'assemblies' or 'gatherings.' The underlying root קהל gives rise to terms for assembled groups and events.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מַקְהֵלֹת refers specifically to a site on Israel’s wilderness journey between Haradah and Tahath (Numbers 33:25-26), one of the series of stations listed during the Exodus from Egypt. Though the form is a feminine plural noun, its function in these passages is as a proper name. The meaning is generally understood as 'assemblies' or 'gatherings,' suggesting the location may have been associated with assembly or gathering, possibly of the Israelite community. However, there is no evidence that the site continued to be significant after the wilderness period. The term is not used elsewhere for other locations or as a common noun in narrative contexts. Later translations (e.g., LXX, Vulgate) simply transliterate the term without interpreting it. Contrary to some English versions or glosses that treat it as 'assemblies,' its direct referent in biblical narrative is to the place-name Makheloth. The underlying noun קָהָל (qahal) is used for both secular and cultic assemblies elsewhere, but this plural is not used in those contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
plural of מַקְהֵל (feminine); assemblies; Makheloth, a place in the Desert; Makheloth.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קהל (q-h-l) — assemble, gather, convene
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4721 | מַקְהֵל | in gathered assemblies |
| H6950 | קָהַל | in being assembled |
| H6951 | קָהָל | in the summoned assembly |
| H6952 | קְהִלָּה | summoned assembly |
| H6953 | קֹהֶלֶת | the assembler |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4722-02 |
מִ/מַּקְהֵלֹ֑ת | mimaqehelot | HR/Np |
from Makheloth | from Assemblies | 1 |
H4722-01 |
בְּ/מַקְהֵלֹֽת | bemaqehelot | HR/Np |
at Makheloth | in Assemblies | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4722-01 |
Numbers 33:25 | בְּ/מַקְהֵלֹֽת | bemaqehelot | HR/Np |
at Makheloth | in Assemblies |
H4722-02 |
Numbers 33:26 | מִ/מַּקְהֵלֹ֑ת | mimaqehelot | HR/Np |
from Makheloth | from Assemblies |