H4257 H4257
Mahalath (psalm term); a musical or melodic designation in psalm superscriptions
This term appears only in the superscriptions of Psalms 53 and 88, apparently indicating a tune or musical setting. Ancient versions struggled with it—Aquila, Symmachus, and Vulgate connected it to dancing, while others saw it as a catchword from a well-known song that gave its name to the melody. The meaning remains uncertain. It may derive from a root related to 'sickness' or 'dancing.' Modern scholars treat it as a liturgical-musical notation whose precise meaning is lost, like several other technical terms in psalm titles.
Sentidos
1. sense 1 — A technical term in psalm superscriptions (Ps 53:1; 88:1), likely indicating a melody, tune, or musical performance style, though its exact meaning is debated. Ancient translations vary widely—some link it to dancing, others to choir or liturgical performance. Spanish transliterates 'majalat,' treating it as a technical musical term. The word's occurrence only in titles, never in psalm body, confirms it as liturgical instruction rather than part of the poetic content. 2×
AR["مَحَلَةٍ", "مَحَلَةَ"]·ben["মাহলত", "মাহালত"]·DE["Machalath", "mahalath"]·EN["Machalath", "mahalath"]·FR["de-chœur"]·heb["מחלת"]·HI["महलत", "माचलत"]·ID["Mahalat"]·IT["divisione"]·jav["Mahalat", "maskil"]·KO["마할라-에", "마할랿-에"]·PT["Maalate"]·RU["махалат"]·ES["majalat"]·SW["Mahalathi", "mahalati"]·TR["Mahalat", "mahalat"]·urd["محلت", "مَحَلَت"]
Sentidos Relacionados
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Referencia BDB / Léxico
† I. מַחֲלַת n.f. only in ψ titles עַל־מ׳ ψ 53:1; 88:1; appar. a catchword in a song, giving name to tune; meaning dub.; Aq. Symm. 𝔙 מְחֹלֹת dance; v. Ol Psalmen, p. 27 Bae Psalmen, p. xviii.