Abel-meholah
Abel-meholah is a settlement mentioned in 3 verses. Its most likely location is Tell Abu Sus. The name means “mourning of sickness.”
Where is Abel-meholah?
Approx. 32.3743, 35.5609 · OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
Possible modern locations
| Identification | Type | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Tell Abu Sus | settlement | Medium |
| Tell el Hilu | settlement | Low |
| Ras el Kharube | settlement | Low |
| Tell el Hamme | settlement | Low |
| Tall al Meqbarah | settlement | Low |
| Tell el Maqlub | settlement | Low |
Abel-meholah in the Bible dictionary
Meadow of dancing, or the dancing-meadow, the birth-place and residence of the prophet Elisha, not far from Beth-shean (1 Kings 4:12), in the tribe of Issachar, near where the Wady el-Maleh emerges into the valley of the Jordan, “the rich meadow-land which extends about 4 miles south of Beth-shean; moist and luxuriant.” Here Elisha was found at his plough by Elijah on his return up the Jordan valley from Horeb (1 Kings 19:16). It is now called ‘Ain Helweh.
Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897), public domain. Full dictionary entry →
Verses that mention Abel-meholah
- Judges 7:22
And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the Lord set every man’s sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Beth–shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel–meholah, unto Tabbath.
- 1 Kings 4:12
Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth–shean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Beth–shean to Abel–meholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:
- 1 Kings 19:16
And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel–meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.