Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Abelmeholah" is derived from Hebrew, where "Abel" means "meadow" or "stream," and "Meholah" is often interpreted as "dancing" or "rejoicing." Thus, Abelmeholah can be understood as "meadow of dancing" or "meadow of rejoicing."

Biblical References:
Abelmeholah is mentioned in several passages in the Old Testament, primarily in the context of geographical location and notable biblical events.

1. Judges 7:22 · Abelmeholah is first mentioned in the context of Gideon's battle against the Midianites. After Gideon's army of 300 men defeated the Midianites, the enemy fled, and the pursuit extended to Abelmeholah:
"When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the LORD set the sword of one man against another throughout the camp, and the army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath."

2. 1 Kings 4:12 · Abelmeholah is identified as part of the administrative districts during the reign of King Solomon. It was under the jurisdiction of Baana son of Ahilud, who was one of Solomon's twelve district governors:
"Baana son of Ahilud, in Taanach, Megiddo, and all Beth-shean next to Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah to the region of Jokmeam."

3. 1 Kings 19:16 · Abelmeholah is noted as the hometown of Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah. God instructed Elijah to anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abelmeholah as a prophet in his place:
"You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah as prophet in your place."

Geographical Location:
Abelmeholah is believed to have been located in the Jordan Valley, near the Jordan River. Its exact location is not definitively known, but it is generally thought to be in the region south of Beth-shean, near the modern-day border of Israel and Jordan. The fertile land and proximity to water sources would have made it a suitable location for agriculture and settlement.

Historical and Cultural Significance:
Abelmeholah's mention in the context of Gideon's battle highlights its strategic importance during the period of the Judges. As part of Solomon's administrative districts, it indicates the organized governance and division of labor during his reign. The association with Elisha adds a significant prophetic dimension to its biblical narrative, marking it as a place of divine calling and transition in the prophetic ministry of Israel.

Archaeological Insights:
While there is no definitive archaeological identification of Abelmeholah, some scholars suggest that it may correspond to the site of Tell Abu Sus, located in the Jordan Valley. Excavations in the region have uncovered remains from various periods, but further research is needed to confirm any direct connection to Abelmeholah.

Theological Implications:
Abelmeholah serves as a backdrop for divine intervention and leadership transitions in the biblical narrative. Its mention in the context of Gideon's victory underscores the theme of God's deliverance, while its association with Elisha highlights the continuity of prophetic ministry and the importance of divine calling in Israel's history.Abelmeholah

(meadow of the dance), in the northern pat of the Jordan valley, (1 Kings 4:12) to which the routed Bedouin host fled from Gideon, (Judges 7:22) Here Elisha was found at his plough by Elijah returning up the valley from Horeb. (1 Kings 19:16-19)

Abelmeholah

Or ABEL-MEA, a town of Issachar, near the Jordan, ten miles south of Beth-shean. Near this place Gideon defeated the Midianites, Jud 7:22; and here Elisha was born, 1 Kings 19:16.

Meadow of dancing, or the dancing-meadow, the birth-place and residence of the prophet Elisha, not far from Beth-shean (1 Kings 4:12), in the tribe of Issachar, near where the Wady el-Maleh emerges into the valley of the Jordan, "the rich meadow-land which extends about 4 miles south of Beth-shean; moist and luxuriant." Here Elisha was found at his plough by Elijah on his return up the Jordan valley from Horeb (1 Kings 19:16). It is now called `Ain Helweh. ABEL-MEHOLAH

a'-bel-me-ho'-lah ('abhel meholah, "meadow of dancing"): The residence of Elisha the prophet (1 Kings 19:16). When Gideon and his 300 broke their pitchers in the camp of Midian, the Midianites in their first panic fled down the valley of Jezreel and the Jordan "toward Zererah" (Judges 7:22). Zererah (Zeredah) is Zarethan (2 Chronicles 4:17; compare 1 Kings 7:46), separated from Succoth by the clay ground where Solomon made castings for the temple. The wing of the Midianites whom Gideon pursued crossed the Jordan at Succoth (Judges 8:4). This would indicate that Abel-meholah was thought of as a tract of country with a "border," West of the Jordan, some miles South of Beth-shean, in the territory either of Issachar or West Manasseh.

Abel-meholah is also mentioned in connection with the jurisdiction of Baana, one of Solomon's twelve commissary officers (1 Kings 4:12) as below Jezreel, with Beth-shean and Zarethan in the same list. Jerome and Eusebius speak of Abel-meholah as a tract of country and a town in the Jordan valley, about ten Roman miles South of Beth-shean. At just that point the name seems to be perpetuated in that of the Wady Malib, and Abel-meholah is commonly located near where that Wady, or the neighboring Wady Helweh, comes down into the Jordan valley.

Presumably Adriel the Meholathite (1 Samuel 18:19 2 Samuel 21:8) was a resident of Abel-meholah. Willis J. Beecher

Prophets in their Country.
... But if it is general, it is not historically true; for Elijah did not suffer dishonour
in Tishbeth of Gilead, nor Elisha in Abelmeholah, nor Samuel in Ramathaim ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/18 prophets in their country.htm

Abelmeholah (3 Occurrences)
... Abel-meholah. Willis J. Beecher. Multi-Version Concordance Abelmeholah
(3 Occurrences). Judges 7:22 And the three hundred blew the ...
/a/abelmeholah.htm - 9k

Abel-meholah (3 Occurrences)
Abel-meholah. Abelmeholah, Abel-meholah. A'bel-Meho'lah . ... (ASV BBE DBY JPS WBS
YLT NAS). Abelmeholah, Abel-meholah. A'bel-Meho'lah . Reference Bible.
/a/abel-meholah.htm - 10k

Zartanah (1 Occurrence)
... the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which
is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the ...
/z/zartanah.htm - 7k

Zererath (1 Occurrence)
... every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host
fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath ...
/z/zererath.htm - 7k

Jokneam (5 Occurrences)
... the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which
is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the ...
/j/jokneam.htm - 9k

Pertained (18 Occurrences)
... the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which
is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the ...
/p/pertained.htm - 12k

Bethshittah (1 Occurrence)
... every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host
fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath ...
/b/bethshittah.htm - 7k

Bethshean (5 Occurrences)
... the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which
is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the ...
/b/bethshean.htm - 11k

A'bel-Ma'im (1 Occurrence)
A'bel-Ma'im. Abel-maim, A'bel-Ma'im. Abelmeholah . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Abel-maim, A'bel-Ma'im. Abelmeholah . Reference Bible.
/a/a'bel-ma'im.htm - 6k

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