Lexical Summary Machli: Mahlites Original Word: מַחְלִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Mahlites Patronymical from Machliy; a Machlite or (collectively) descendants of Machli -- Mahlites. see HEBREW Machliy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Machli Definition desc. of Mahli NASB Translation Mahlites (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. מַחְלִי adjective, of a people of above; only with article as collective ׳הַמ Numbers 3:33; Numbers 26:58. מַחֲלֻיִים see [מַחֲלוּי] below I. חלה. [מַחֲלָף], [מַחֲלָפָה] see חלף. מַחֲלָצוֺת see [ מַחֲלָצָה] below I. הלץ. II. מַחְלְקוֺת see II. חלק. מַחֲלֹ֫קֶת see I. חלק. I. מַחֲלַת see below II. חלה. Topical Lexicon Genealogical Setting Mahli (מַחְלִי) is the elder son of Merari and therefore grandson of Levi (Exodus 6:19; 1 Chronicles 6:19). His brother is Mushi. From him sprang the Mahlite clan, one-half of the Merarite division of the Levites. Later descendants include Kish and Eleazar (1 Chronicles 23:21–23), showing that the line survived the Babylonian exile and continued into the Second Temple era. Occurrences in the Pentateuch Numbers records two census notices that name the Mahlites: The repetition in both censuses underscores covenant faithfulness; despite wilderness deaths, the clan endured. Levitical Responsibilities Merarites, including the Mahlites, camped on the north side of the tabernacle (Numbers 3:35) and were charged with its heaviest structural pieces—the frames, crossbars, posts, bases, pegs, and cords (Numbers 3:36–37). Their burden illustrated the principle that every ministry, whether seen or unseen, is indispensable to corporate worship. When Israel broke camp, the Gershonites and Kohathites could not move until the Mahlites finished disassembling the framework. Similarly, settlement in Canaan placed Merarite towns on the outer edges of Israel’s territory (Joshua 21:7, 34–40), a strategic positioning that guarded Israel’s borders and provided access to pastureland. Historical Continuity After the monarchy began, David reorganized the Levites. The Mahlites are singled out (1 Chronicles 23:21–23; 24:26–30) and allotted roles in temple maintenance—a transition from movable sanctuary to permanent house. During Josiah’s reforms (2 Chronicles 34:12–13), “Levites who were skilled in instruments of music” included Merarites, suggesting that Mahlite heritage expanded from physical labor to worship leadership. Post-exilic records (Ezra 8:18–19) indicate that Levites of Merari returned to Jerusalem, assuring the line’s perpetuation. Theological and Ministry Significance 1. Faithfulness across generations: Mahli’s name surfaces where covenant continuity is at stake—wilderness, conquest, monarchy, exile, and restoration—demonstrating God’s preservation of a remnant. Key Related References Exodus 6:19; Numbers 3:20, 3:33–37; Numbers 26:58–63; Joshua 21:7, 34–40; 1 Chronicles 6:19, 6:29; 1 Chronicles 23:6, 21–23; 1 Chronicles 24:26–30; 2 Chronicles 34:12–13; Ezra 8:18–19. Lessons for Contemporary Discipleship • Value supportive roles that uphold corporate worship. Forms and Transliterations הַמַּחְלִ֔י הַמַּחְלִי֙ המחלי ham·maḥ·lî hammachLi hammaḥlîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 3:33 HEB: לִמְרָרִ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙ הַמַּחְלִ֔י וּמִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַמּוּשִׁ֑י NAS: [was] the family of the Mahlites and the family KJV: [was] the family of the Mahlites, and the family INT: of Merari the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites Numbers 26:58 2 Occurrences |
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