Meholathite
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The gentilic 'Meholathite' identifies Adriel, son of Barzillai, who married Merab, daughter of King Saul, although textual criticism indicates the term is likely a scribal corruption of 'Gibeathite' in 2 Samuel 21:8.
What is the meaning of Meholathite in the Bible?
The gentilic 'Meholathite' identifies Adriel, son of Barzillai, who married Merab, daughter of King Saul, although textual criticism indicates the term is likely a scribal corruption of 'Gibeathite' in 2 Samuel 21:8.
SIGNIFICANCE
Distinguishing between the readings 'Meholathite' and 'Gibeathite' clarifies the geographical roots of Saul's kinship network and underscores the importance of cross-referencing parallel accounts, such as 1 Samuel 18:19, to accurately reconstruct biblical genealogies.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Meholathite in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Meholathite clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.