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Etymology •
& Meaning •
Hebrew •
Greek •
Bible •
Names •
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Meaning and etymology of the name Mahalath
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Mahalath 
Mahalath is the name of two women in the Bible: a daughter of Ishmael (Genesis 28:9) and a granddaughter of David, who becomes the wife of Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:18). This name is identical to a musical term found in the headings of Psalms 53 and 88.
The name Mahalath may be derived from the root group  (hala I, II & III):
(hala) means to be sick, grieved, sorry. Derivation  (mahaleh) means disease.
(hala II) means to beseech, entreat, pray. HAW Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament places the musical term Mahalath under this meaning, but acknowledges that some scholars derive it from hala (655), and assume a meaning of 'sad tune'.
(hala III) is an unused root that yields the derivation  (hali), ornament, jewelry.
BDB Theological Dictionary suggests relations with  (mehola), dance, from the verb  (hul), dance, whirl, fear, be in pain. NOBS Study Bible Name List goes with (mahaleh) and reports that both the name and the musical term mean Sickness. Jones' Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names goes with the same root, and casually explains that certain grammatical constructions allow a word that usually means being sick, to mean to be smooth or polished. Jones then translates the name Mahalath with Harp or Wind Instrument.
Since Psalms 53 and 88 both express deep anxiety, the musical term Mahalath probably has to do with sadness or entreaty. But it goes a bit far to translate it and the name Mahalath with sickness. Probably Sad Song would be more appropriate.
Mahalath is Hebrew Blues.
Other names that were derived of this root group are Mahlah, Mahli, Mahlon, Hali, Halah and Halhul.
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