CALCOL:
A man famous for his wisdom, since the Biblical writer attests the wisdom of Solomon by saying that he surpassed Calcol. In the account of I Kings iv. 31, R. V., Calcol (Chalcol, I Kings iv. 31, A. V.) is given as the son of Mahol, while in I Chron. ii. 6 he is called the son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah, and a brother of Heman and Ethan. Rashi, following the Midrash (Pesiḳ., ed. Buber, iv. 34b) says that Calcol [which probably means "the nourisher," or "nourishment"] is a name given to Joseph because of the verse "and Joseph nourished" (
) (Gen. xlvii. 12).
