Lexical Summary Machavim: Hiding places, concealments Original Word: מַחֲוִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mahavite Apparently a patrial, but from an unknown place (in the plural only for a singular); a Machavite or inhabitant of some place named Machaveh -- Mahavite. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a description of Eliel NASB Translation Mahavite (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַחֲוִים apparently adjective, of a people, only ׳אֱלִיאֵל הַמּ 1 Chronicles 11:46, but read probably הַמַּחֲנִי (Be), see מַחֲנַיִם proper name, of a location sub; חנה; Öttli suggests also הַמְּעוֺנִי; ᵐ5 ὁ Μιει, A ὁ Μαωειν, ᵐ5L ὁ Μαωθε. Topical Lexicon Biblical occurrence and narrative setting The only scriptural appearance of מַחֲוִים is in 1 Chronicles 11:46 within the roster of David’s mighty men: “Eliel the Mahavite, Jeribai and Joshaviah the sons of Elnaam, Ithmah the Moabite.”. The verse sits in a passage that celebrates the warriors who rallied to David after he was anointed king (1 Chronicles 11:10-47). Their exploits underscore the divine establishment of David’s throne and, by extension, anticipate the eternal rule of the promised Son of David. Geographic and ethnographic considerations Because מַחֲוִים functions as a gentilic (“Mahavite”), it almost certainly points to a locality—either a town or a clan district—whose exact site is no longer identifiable. Several conservative scholars link it to the region of Maacah north of Bashan (compare 2 Samuel 10:6); others place it near Gibeah in Benjamin based on phonetic similarity. The lack of further references suggests the place was small, perhaps absorbed by larger neighbors or lost in subsequent geopolitical shifts. The Chronicler’s retention of the term, however, affirms its historical authenticity. Relation to David’s mighty men Eliel, labelled “the Mahavite,” belonged to the second tier of thirty-two warriors who, though not in the elite Three, embodied exceptional valor and loyalty. Their courage reinforced David’s ascendancy at critical moments—particularly during his consolidation at Hebron and throughout the Philistine conflicts (1 Chronicles 11:10-14; 2 Samuel 23:8-12). In the Chronicler’s theology, such individuals are tokens of God’s providence: they rally to the anointed king, protect the covenant line, and demonstrate that leadership in Israel thrives when “the LORD saves by many or by few” (compare 1 Samuel 14:6). Historical-cultural background The eleventh-century B.C. was marked by shifting tribal alliances and foreign pressure, most notably from the Philistines. Men with diverse ethnic tags—Moabite (Ithmah), Ahohite (Dodo), Tizite (Joha), and Mahavite (Eliel)—stood shoulder to shoulder under David. Their unity foreshadows the later prophetic vision of Gentiles joining Israel’s Messiah (Isaiah 42:6; Zechariah 2:11). The Chronicler, writing after the exile, highlights these details to encourage a post-exilic community seeking restored identity and purpose. Theological significance 1. Covenant loyalty: The Mahavite’s inclusion testifies that God honors steadfast allegiance to His chosen ruler. Practical ministry lessons • Faithfulness in obscurity: Like the unnamed town of the Mahavite, believers serving in overlooked places still contribute to God’s redemptive storyline. Summary Though מַחֲוִים surfaces only once, it opens a window onto the rich mosaic of David’s supporters, affirms the historical reliability of the Chronicler’s account, and illustrates timeless principles of covenant fidelity, unity in diversity, and the vital role of the “unsung” in advancing God’s purposes. Forms and Transliterations הַֽמַּחֲוִ֔ים המחוים ham·ma·ḥă·wîm hammachaVim hammaḥăwîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 11:46 HEB: אֱלִיאֵל֙ הַֽמַּחֲוִ֔ים וִירִיבַ֥י וְיוֹשַׁוְיָ֖ה NAS: Eliel the Mahavite and Jeribai KJV: Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, INT: Eliel the Mahavite and Jeribai and Joshaviah 1 Occurrence |
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