Mahol מָחוֹל
Father of wise men surpassed in wisdom by Solomon.
Who is Mahol in the Bible?
Mahol was the father of four renowned wise men mentioned in 1 Kings 4:31, including Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol, and Darda. These sons of Mahol were celebrated for their wisdom throughout ancient Israel, yet Scripture records that King Solomon's wisdom surpassed theirs and exceeded even the collective wisdom of Egypt. Mahol himself is not described as a wise man, but rather appears in the biblical narrative as the father of distinguished men whose accomplishments served as a foil to highlight Solomon's extraordinary God-given wisdom and intellectual superiority.
Biography
Mahol is mentioned in the context of describing King Solomon's wisdom. He was the father of Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol, and Darda, who were known for their wisdom. However, Solomon's wisdom surpassed that of these men and all the wisdom of Egypt.
Family
Offspring
- Ethan Tribe of JudahSon of ZerahSon of Zerah; grandson of Judah.View full profile →
- Heman Tribe of JudahSon of ZerahGrandson of Judah through Zerah.View full profile →
- Calcol Tribe of JudahSon of MaholWise man Solomon was compared toView full profile →
- Darda Tribe of JudahSon of MaholWise man surpassed by Solomon's wisdomView full profile →
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Kings 1 verse
- 1 Kings 4:31
"He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | מָחוֹל |