סֶלַע הַמַּחְלְקוֹת
𐤎𐤋𐤏 𐤄𐤌𐤇𐤋𐤒𐤅𐤕
Sela Hamacheleqot
H5555 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A proper noun referring to a specific location, translated as 'Rock of Divisions' or 'Rock of Separation,' named for its association with being a site of dividing or separating or as a notable landmark. In the narrative context, it functions as a place of tactical or geographical division, notably where Saul and David were separated during a pursuit.
Semantic Range
rock of divisions, place of separation, notable rocky landmark, geographical site named for a narrative event
Root / Etymology
Compound phrase, formed from סֶלַע (sela‘, 'rock'), the definite article הַ (ha-, 'the'), and the plural construct form of מַחְלֶקֶת (machleqoth, 'divisions' or 'groups'), thus literally 'rock of the divisions'. The root of סֶלַע is סלע, meaning 'to be high or craggy, rock', and the root of מַחְלֶקֶת is חלק, meaning 'to divide, apportion'.
Historical & Contextual Notes
סֶלַע הַמַּחְלְקוֹת is mentioned in 1 Samuel 23:28 as the place where Saul ceased pursuing David due to an incursion by the Philistines, effectively creating a tactical (and possibly geographic) separation. The name likely reflects both the physical features (a rocky crag used as a divider) and the specific narrative event of separation. The term is unique to this narrative and is not used elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible. It is different from other place-names involving סֶלַע (like Sela in Edom). Later translations sometimes attempted to preserve the phrase or offered interpretive renderings; English versions usually transliterate the name. In post-biblical or later periods, the location remains uncertain.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from סֶלַע and the plural of מַחֲלֹקֶת with the article interposed; rock of the divisions; Sela-ham-Machlekoth, a place in Palestine; Sela-hammalekoth.
Bantu Hebrew
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סלע / חלק (s-l-ʿ / ḥ-l-q) — rock, crag; divide, apportion, portion
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5555-02 |
סֶ֖לַע | sela | HNp |
rock | Rock of Divisions | 1 |
H5555-01 |
הַֽמַּחְלְקֽוֹת | hamacheleqot | HNp |
of divisions | Rock of the Divisions | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5555-02 |
1 Samuel 23:28 | סֶ֖לַע | sela | HNp |
rock | Rock of Divisions |
H5555-01 |
1 Samuel 23:28 | הַֽמַּחְלְקֽוֹת | hamacheleqot | HNp |
of divisions | Rock of the Divisions |