Location
Overview
Abel-meholah lay in the Jordan Valley, in the territory of Issachar or Manasseh. It was the home of the prophet Elisha.
The call of Elisha
At Horeb God told Elijah, "Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room" (1 Kings 19:16). Elijah found him plowing with twelve yoke of oxen and cast his mantle upon him (1 Kings 19:19).
Leaving all to follow
Elisha slew his oxen, boiled them with the wood of his plow to feed the people, "then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him" (1 Kings 19:21) — a clean break from his old life.
A town of the valley
Abel-meholah also appears earlier as a point in the rout of the Midianites by Gideon (Judges 7:22) and in Solomon's administrative districts (1 Kings 4:12).
Events Here
Elijah calls Elisha from the plow at Abel-meholah
Scripture References
3 versesJudges1 verse
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 Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath. in: or, toward border: Heb. lip
1 Kings2 verses
1 Kings 4:12
Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, 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 Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. Elisha: Gr. Eliseus
Archaeology & History
Abel-meholah's exact location in the Jordan Valley is uncertain, with several mounds proposed on the western side of the river. Its rich valley farmland fits the picture of Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen when the prophetic mantle fell on him.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Abel-meholah
Where is Abel-meholah today?
Today, Abel-meholah corresponds to Jordan Valley (site uncertain).
What does the name Abel-meholah mean?
The name Abel-meholah means “Meadow of dancing”.
What happened at Abel-meholah in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Abel-meholah include elijah calls elisha from the plow at abel-meholah.
Where is Abel-meholah first mentioned in the Bible?
Abel-meholah is first mentioned in Judges 7:22.
How often is Abel-meholah mentioned in the Bible?
Abel-meholah is mentioned in 3 verses across 2 books: Judges, 1 Kings.
Who was from Abel-meholah?
The prophet Elisha. Elijah found him plowing there and called him to be his successor by casting his mantle over him.
What does Abel-meholah mean?
It means "meadow (or brook) of dancing," fitting a fertile spot in the Jordan Valley.