Bible Figure
Mahalath
biblical character (Genesis 28)
Mahalath was a daughter of Ishmael whom Esau married after recognizing that his Canaanite wives displeased his parents.
Biography
Genesis 28 says Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and commanded him not to marry a Canaanite woman. Realizing that the daughters of Canaan displeased Isaac, Esau went to Ishmael's family and married Mahalath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth in addition to his other wives. Genesis 36 uses the name Basemath for Ishmael's daughter in Esau's wife list, creating a naming issue the text does not explicitly explain.
Biblical Significance
Mahalath belongs to the interwoven family lines of Isaac and Ishmael. Her entry should preserve the differing names in Genesis rather than forcing an unsupported reconstruction.