Bible Dictionary
Abel-meholah
Abel-meholah, meaning “meadow of dancing,” was a fertile region and settlement in the Jordan Valley. It was associated with the prophet Elisha, whom Elijah found plowing there, and was included in one of Solomon’s administrative districts.
Definition
Abel-meholah means “meadow of dancing.” It was a fertile tract and settlement in the Jordan valley, south of Beth-shean, associated especially with the prophet Elisha. The name was also used in connection with one of Solomon’s administrative districts.
Biblical Usage
Abel-meholah was the residence of Elisha, whom Elijah found plowing there. It is also named in the list of the district governed by Baana, one of Solomon’s twelve commissary officers.
Historical Background
The area was described as rich, moist, and luxuriant, extending several miles south of Beth-shean. It was located near the Wady Malib or Wady Helweh where the valley opens into the Jordan plain. Jerome and Eusebius described it as both a tract and a town.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a'-bel-me-ho'-lah ('abhel meholah, "meadow of dancing"): The residence of Elisha the prophet (1Ki 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" (Jud 7:22). Zererah (Zeredah) is Zarethan (2Ch 4:17; compare 1Ki 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 (Jud 8:4 ff). 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.</p><p>Abel-meholah is also mentioned in connection with the jurisdiction of Baana, one of Solomon's twelve commissary officers (1Ki 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.</p><p>Presumably Adriel the Meholathite (1Sa 18:19; 2Sa 21:8) was a resident of Abel-meholah. Willis J. Beecher</p>