מַהֲלַלְאֵל
𐤌𐤄𐤋𐤋𐤀𐤋
Mahalaleel
H4111 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A personal name meaning 'El (God) is praise' or 'the splendor/praise of El.' Used as the name of one of the antediluvian patriarchs (descendants of Seth) in Genesis genealogy lists, and also as the name of a post-exilic Israelite. The semantic range is tied specifically to its use as a proper noun referring to individuals.
Semantic Range
proper name for individuals, 'El is praise,' 'splendor of El,' used in genealogical records for antediluvian patriarch and post-exilic Israelite
Root / Etymology
Derived from the roots מַהֲלָל (mahalal, meaning 'praise, splendor, renown') and אֵל (El, the Northwest Semitic term for deity or god, often used as a poetic or theophoric element in Hebrew names). The name is a composite: 'mahalal' (praise/splendor/renown) + 'El' (God), thus connoting 'God is praise' or 'the praise/glory of God.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, מַהֲלַלְאֵל appears primarily as the name of a patriarch in the antediluvian genealogies (Genesis 5:12-17, 1 Chronicles 1:2) and in post-exilic times (Nehemiah 11:4) as the name of an Israelite after the return from Babylonian exile. The spelling and vocalization follow typical theophoric naming structures of biblical Hebrew, often combining a term of valor or virtue (like praise, splendor, strength) with a divine element (primarily El or Yah). English translations sometimes render the name as ''Mahalaleel'' (especially in older versions), which reflects Greek Septuagint transliteration. The name is not used descriptively but exclusively as a personal name, following the ancient Israelite tradition of attributing positive qualities to God in theophoric personal names. Later interpretive traditions sometimes render the name as 'the praise of God,' but the underlying Hebrew more precisely communicates the idea of 'God is splendor' or 'God (is) praise.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מַהֲלָל and אֵל; praise of God; Mahalalel, the name of an antediluvian patriarch and of an Israelite; Mahalaleel.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
הלל-אל (h-l-l / ʾ-l) — praise, shining, boasting; god/deity
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4111-01 |
מַֽהֲלַלְאֵֽל | mahalaleel | HNp |
Mahalalel | Praise of El | 7 |
Occurrences in Scripture
7 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4111-01 |
Genesis 5:12 | מַֽהֲלַלְאֵֽל | mahalaleel | HNp |
Mahalalel | Praise of El |
H4111-01 |
Genesis 5:13 | מַֽהֲלַלְאֵ֔ל | mahalaleel | HNp |
Mahalalel | Praise of El |
H4111-01 |
Genesis 5:15 | מַֽהֲלַלְאֵ֔ל | mahalaleel | HNp |
Mahalalel | Praise of El |
H4111-01 |
Genesis 5:16 | מַֽהֲלַלְאֵ֗ל | mahalaleel | HNp |
Mahalalel | Praise of El |
H4111-01 |
Genesis 5:17 | מַהֲלַלְאֵ֔ל | mahalaleel | HNp |
Mahalalel | Praise of El |
H4111-01 |
Nehemiah 11:4 | מַהֲלַלְאֵ֖ל | mahalaleel | HNp |
Mahalalel | Praise of El |
H4111-01 |
1 Chronicles 1:2 | מַהֲלַלְאֵ֖ל | mahalaleel | HNp |
Mahalalel | Praise of El |