Mahalath ma'-ha-lath (machalath):
(1) In Genesis 28:9 the name of a wife of Esau, daughter of Ishmael, and sister of Nebaioth, called in 36:3, BASEMATH (which see). The Samaritan Pentateuch, however, throughout Genesis 36 retains "Mahalath." On the other hand, in 26:34 Basemath is said to be "the daughter of Elon the Hittite," probably a confusion with Adah, as given in 36:2, or corruption may exist in the lists otherwise.
(2) One of the 18 wives of Rehoboam, a grand-daughter of David (2 Chronicles 11:18).
(3) The word is found in the titles of Psalms 53:1 (the Revised Version (British and American) "set to Mahalath") and Psalms 88:1 (the Revised Version (British and American) "set to Mahalath Leannoth," margin "for singing"). Probably some song or tune is meant, though the word is taken by many to denote a musical instrument. Hengstenberg and others interpret it as indicating the subject of the Psalms.
See PSALMS.
James Orr