What is the meaning of…
mahalath leannoth maschil in Psalms 88
These words appear together in the title of Psalm 88, and have confused Bible translators because their meaning has been lost to time.
Mahalath
Hebrew: מַחֲלַת —transliteration: Mahalath or Machalath —derivation: חָלָה, meaning “to be sick” or “to be weak.”
Mahalath is a name that is used in two ways in the Old Testament—as a musical term and as the name of a daughter of Ishmael who became a wife of Esau (Gen. 28:9) Another woman by the this name is a granddaughter of David and Abihail, She married Rehoboam.
The title of Psalm 53 states, “For the choir director. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.”
leannoth
also known as: לְעַנּ֑וֹת
The word leannoth might point to some kind of musical instrument (possibly flutes), or Mahalath Leannoth might refer to the name of a specific musical tune or to performance style.
maskil (aka maschil)
Hebrew: מַשְׂכִּיל —transliteration: maskiyl —meaning: insightful, instructive, a contemplative poem or song —derivation: שָׂכַל (sakal, meaning to be prudent, to have insight, to understand)
Here are various ways Bible translators have dealt with these words.
According to mahalath leannoth. A maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. —Psalm 88 title excerpt in KJV, NASB, LSB, NIV, RSV, ESV
Set to “Mahalath Leannoth.” A Contemplation of Heman the Ezrahite. —Psalm 88 title excerpt in NKJV
To the tune “Mahalath Leannoth.” A special psalm by Heman the Ezrahite. —Contemporary English Version
To the tune of “The Suffering of Affliction.” A contemplation by Heman, the Ezrahite. —World English Bible (WEB)
‘Concerning the Sickness of Afflictions.’ — An instruction, by Heman the Ezrahite. —Young’s Literal Translation
to victory on Mahalath, for to answer the learning of Heman, (the) Ezrahite —Wycliffe Bible
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