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מַחְלְקָה

𐤌𐤇𐤋𐤒𐤄

machlᵉqâh

H4255 noun

SILEX Entry

Root חלק to divide, apportion, distribute

Definition

A division, section, or class; primarily denotes an organized group or subdivision within a larger entity, especially with administrative, military, or cultic functions. Used especially of the regularly rotating divisions of the Levites assigned to service in the sanctuary, but also of military or civic subdivisions.

Semantic Range

division, section, class, organized group (especially Levite division), administrative unit, military division, priestly rotation/course

Root / Etymology

From the root חלק, meaning 'to divide, apportion, distribute.' The noun form מַחְלְקָה denotes that which is divided or allotted, i.e., a division or section. Etymology is consistent with the root sense of separating or apportioning into parts.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מַחְלְקָה is used prototypically for the twenty-four divisions (courses) of the Levites established for service in the Jerusalem temple during the monarchic period (1 Chronicles 23–26). Each 'course' served in rotation, reflecting an administrative structure for cultic duties. The term is also applied more broadly to military divisions (e.g., units of soldiers) and civic groups, particularly in later books (e.g., Nehemiah, Ezekiel) to describe administrative groupings or rotating guards. In the post-exilic period, especially in texts reflecting Second Temple practice, the use of מַחְלְקָה for priestly and Levitical service divisions continues and forms the historical basis for later synagogue and liturgical practice, although the English translation 'course' does not fully convey the term's administrative and hereditary aspects. The sense of a regularly rotating division is not always apparent in translations as 'section' or 'class.' In Aramaic (e.g., Daniel 1:5, 18; 2:14, etc.), the cognate term corresponds to the same administrative sense. Distinct from מַחֲלֹקֶת, which more often denotes a 'division' in the sense of dispute or faction, rather than an organizational unit.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to מַחֲלֹקֶת; a section (of the Levites); course.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

חלק (ḥ-l-q) — divide, apportion, distribute

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H2505 חָלַק I will apportion
H2506 חֵלֶק in allotted portion of
H2507 חֵלֶק allotted portion
H2508 חֲלָק smooth
H2509 חָלָק smooth

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4255-01 בְּ/מַחְלְקָ֣תְ/ה֔וֹן bemacheleqatehon AR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp in their divisions in their divisions 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4255-01 Ezra 6:18 בְּ/מַחְלְקָ֣תְ/ה֔וֹן bemacheleqatehon AR/Ncfpc/Sp3mp in their divisions in their divisions
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