H4233 H4233
The Mahavite, a gentilic or clan designation for Eliel, one of David's warriors
This term appears only in 1 Chronicles 11:46, identifying 'Eliel the Mahavite' among David's mighty men. The designation appears to be a clan or geographical identifier, though the exact reference remains uncertain. Some scholars suggest textual corruption, proposing emendations to 'the Mahanite' (from Mahanaim) or 'the Meunite' (from Maon). Ancient versions transliterated it differently, unable to locate the place or group. Despite the uncertainty, the term served to distinguish this Eliel from others in David's forces.
Senses
1. sense 1 — A designation identifying Eliel's origin or clan affiliation among David's elite warriors. The term's exact reference is uncertain—possibly a place name, tribal group, or family designation. Textual scholars debate whether the original read differently, suggesting locations like Mahanaim or Maon. Whatever its precise meaning, the gentilic distinguished this warrior from other men named Eliel in David's military ranks. 1×
AR["المَحَاوِيم"]·ben["মহবীয়"]·DE["[המחוים]"]·EN["the-Machavite"]·FR["[המחוים]"]·heb["ה-מחוים"]·HI["मखवीम"]·ID["orang-Mahawi"]·IT["[המחוים]"]·jav["tiyang-Mahawim"]·KO["그-마하위-사람들"]·PT["o-macavita"]·RU["махавитянин"]·ES["el-majavita"]·SW["Mmahawi"]·TR["Mahavimli"]·urd["محویمی"]
Related Senses
G3588 1. definite article (18298×)H0853 1. definite direct object marker (10915×)G2532 1. (8312×)H3068 1. YHWH (the divine name) (6522×)H0834a 1. relative pronoun (who/which/that) (4839×)H3588a 1. causal: because, for (3498×)G1161 1. and (2806×)H3478 1. Israel (proper name and nation) (2507×)G4771 1. you (plural address) (1853×)H1931 1. personal pronoun he/she/it (1431×)G3739 1. relative pronoun who/which/that (1149×)H1732 1. David (proper name) (1075×)H2088 1. this, this one (demonstrative) (1059×)G1063 1. (1047×)G3778 1. this thing, these things (1003×)H???? 2. (1002×)G2424 1. (924×)G3754 1. that (content clause) (881×)H2009 1. presentative particle: behold, look (881×)H0589 1. I (first person singular pronoun) (874×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
† מַחֲוִים appar. adj. gent., only אֱלִיאֵל הַמּ׳ 1 Ch 11:46, but read prob. הַמַּחֲנִי (Be), v. מַחֲנַיִם n.pr.loc. sub חנה; Öt suggests also הַמְּעוֹנִי; 𝔊 ὁ Μιει, A ὁ Μαωειν, 𝔊L ὁ Μαωθε.