Encyclopedia of The Bible – Mahol
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Mahol

MAHOL mā’ hŏl (מָחֹ֑ול; B, Μάλ, A, Μαούλ; dance). A term used to designate the father of four sages compared with Solomon for wisdom (1 Kings 4:31). In 1 Chronicles 2:6 their father is said to be Zerah. Since “Mahol” means “dance,” and two of these sages, Heman and Ethan, are ascribed authorship of one psalm each (Heman, Ps 88; Ethan, Ps 89), it is likely that “sons of Mahol” is an appellative expression rather than an indication of parental relationship. These men were dancers whose activity played an important role in religious exercises (cf. Pss 149:3; 150:4).