Lexical Summary
malak: To reign, to be king, to rule
Original Word:מָלַךְ
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:malak
Pronunciation:mah-lak
Phonetic Spelling:(maw-lak')
KJV: consult, X indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign(-ing), rule, X surely
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to reign
2. (inceptively) to ascend the throne
3. (causatively) to induct into royalty
4. (hence, by implication) to take counsel
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
consult, indeed, be make, set a, set up king, be make queen, begin to, make to reigning,
A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel -- consult, X indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign(-ing), rule, X surely.
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II.
346 ; —
296PerfectJoshua 13:10 + etc.;Imperfect (-)Exodus 15:18 +;Genesis 36:32 +; 2 masculine singularGenesis 37:8 +, (Jeremiah 22:15 Baer);ImperativeJudges 9:14;Judges 9:8;Judges 9:10,12;Infinitive absoluteGenesis 37:8;1 Samuel 24:21;construct.1 Kings 2:15 +; suffix1 Samuel 13:1 +;ParticipleJeremiah 22:11 2t.;2 Kings 11:3 2Chronicles 22:12; —be (become)king, reign, mostly of Hebrew kings,2 Samuel 2:10;1 Kings 16:22;2 Kings 3:1;2 Kings 9:13, but also GenerallyProverbs 8:15;Proverbs 30:22; of Canaanite, Edomite, Aramaic, Assyrian, Persian kings, etc.:Judges 4:2;Genesis 36:31;1 Kings 11:25;2 Kings 8:15;2 Kings 19:37;Esther 1:1 +; followed by local (usually city)Joshua 13:10,12;Judges 4:2;2 Samuel 5:5;1 Kings 11:24;1 Kings 14:21 + often; but alsoGenesis 36:31,32;1 Chronicles 1:43 , and even2 Samuel 3:21; followed by with people or land1 Samuel 8:9,11;1 Samuel 12:14;1 Samuel 13:1;1 Kings 15:1,9;1 Kings 16:23 + often; followed by local + territory (or population)2 Samuel 5:5;1 Kings 11:42; followed by ()2 Samuel 16:8;Genesis 36:33f. =1 Chronicles 1:44f.,1 Kings 14:20,31;2 Kings 8:15;2 Kings 13:24;Jeremiah 22:11 + often; subject God, followed byPsalm 47:9;Micah 4:7;Ezekiel 20:33;1 Samuel 8:7; followed byIsaiah 24:23; absoluteExodus 15:18;Isaiah 52:7;Psalm 93:1;Psalm 96:10 =1 Chronicles 16:31;Psalm 97:1;Psalm 99:1;Psalm 146:10 +; subject future (Messianic) kingIsaiah 32:1;Jeremiah 23:5; subject a woman (=be queen)2 Kings 11:3 2Chronicles 22:12 (both followed by ),Esther 2:4 followed by ; Imperative only in fable, king of trees,Judges 9:8,10,12,14 all followed by ; especially =when he began to reign, became king1 Samuel 13:1;2 Samuel 2:10;1 Kings 14:21 + often; Infinitive also =reign:2 Kings 24:12;2 Kings 25:1, compare2 Kings 25:27;1 Kings 6:1; 2Chronicles 16:13; 17:7; 29:3; 34:3,8, compare1 Chronicles 4:31; 2Chronicles 36:20;began to reign and reigned1 Kings 15:25;1 Kings 16:29;2 Kings 3:1 +; often alone withsame meaning1 Kings 16:23;2 Kings 13:1,10;2 Kings 14:23 +.
Perfect1 Samuel 15:35 2t.;1 Kings 3:7, etc.; Imperfect 2Ki 33:34 4t.;Judges 9:6 + etc.;Infinitive construct1 Kings 12:1 + etc.;ParticipleEzekiel 17:16; —make king, orqueen, cause to reign, followed by accusative of personJudges 9:16;1 Samuel 11:15;1 Kings 1:43;1 Kings 12:1;1 Kings 16:21;2 Kings 10:5;2 Kings 11:12 (anointing and coronation) = 2 Chronicles 23:11;2 Kings 17:21;1 Chronicles 11:10;1 Chronicles 12:32;1 Chronicles 12:39; 2Chronicles 10:1; 11:22;Ezekiel 17:16; followed by ( of direct object, as Aramaic)1 Chronicles 29:22; followed by accusative of congnate meaning with verb1 Samuel 8:22 (+ ),1 Samuel 12:1 (+ ),Isaiah 7:6 (+ ); followed byJudges 9:6;1 Samuel 15:11; followed by accusative of person + localJeremiah 37:1; +Judges 9:18;1 Samuel 15:35;1 Kings 12:20;1 Kings 16:16;2 Kings 8:20;1 Chronicles 12:38;1 Chronicles 28:4 (accusative omitted),1 Chronicles 23:1; 2Chronicles 1:9,11; 21:8; 36:4,10, compare2 Samuel 2:9 (3 t. , 3 t. ); +1 Kings 3:7;2 Kings 14:21;2 Kings 21:24;2 Kings 23:30 (anointing),2 Kings 23:34;2 Kings 24:17; 2Chronicles 1:8; 22:1; 26:1; 33:25; 36:1;Esther 2:17 (=make queen at coronation); absoluteHosea 8:4.
PerfectDaniel 9:1.
II. [] (loan-word from Aram .
, ; compare Assyrianmalâku, DlHWB 412); — only
(so Late Hebrew)Imperfect i. e. I considered carefully,Nehemiah 5:7.
[] see .
see below .
I. (√ of following, see Biblical Hebrew).
II. (√ of following; Assyrianmalâku,counsel, advise; , Syriac
, Christian-Palestinian Aramaic
Schulth112; Biblical Hebrew II. []Nehemiah 5:7 as loan-word).
Topical Lexicon
General Overviewמָלַךְ (malak) portrays the act of ruling, becoming king, or causing another to reign. Appearing about 348 times, the verb forms a narrative thread from Genesis through Malachi, binding together the themes of sovereignty, covenant, judgment, and hope. Whether describing the enthronement of a human monarch or the eternal rule of the LORD, its usage accents the biblical conviction that all authority derives from God and is accountable to Him.
Earliest Occurrences and Patriarchal Backdrop
Genesis 36:31 supplies the first instance: “These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites.” From the outset Scripture distinguishes between foreign dynasties that “reigned” and Israel’s yet-unrealized monarchy, hinting that Israel’s kingship will unfold under divine direction rather than human ambition.
Divine Kingship
Exodus 15:18 anchors the theme: “The LORD will reign forever and ever.” The victory at the Red Sea becomes Israel’s first national confession that the LORD Himself is King. The Psalms amplify this truth:
•Psalm 93:1 “The LORD reigns; He is robed in majesty.”
•Psalm 96:10 “Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns.’”
•Psalm 99:1 “The LORD reigns; let the nations tremble.”
Throughout the wisdom and prophetic books the verb regularly attributes kingship to God (Isaiah 24:23;Micah 4:7;Zechariah 14:9), grounding every earthly throne in His ultimate sovereignty.
The Rise of Human Monarchy in Israel
Judges 9 records Israel’s first experiment with human “reigning” as Abimelech manipulates his way to power—an ominous prelude. The formal shift occurs in 1 Samuel:
•1 Samuel 8:22 “The LORD answered Samuel, ‘Listen to their voice and appoint a king for them.’”
•1 Samuel 11:12 “Shall Saul reign over us?”
Saul “became king” (1 Samuel 13:1-2), yet the verb repeatedly reminds readers that he reigns only “by the LORD’s command” (1 Samuel 12:14). David “reigned” for forty years (2 Samuel 5:4-5) and serves as the covenant model: “Your throne will be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16).
Succession, Reform, and Decline
Kings and Chronicles employ מָלַךְ as a literary hinge for each royal succession: “Amaziah son of Joash became king” (2 Kings 14:1), “Uzziah…reigned fifty-two years” (2 Chronicles 26:3). The verb frames both reforms (Hezekiah, Josiah) and apostasies (Manasseh, Jehoiakim), underscoring that a king’s moral choices determine national blessing or curse.
A Queen’s Rule
The rare feminine usage appears with Athaliah: “Athaliah…reigned over the land” (2 Kings 11:3). Her usurpation and violent end (2 Kings 11:16) illustrate that ungodly reign—male or female—invites divine judgment.
Prophetic and Eschatological Vision
Prophets leverage מָלַךְ to announce coming judgment on proud nations (Isaiah 23:15-17;Jeremiah 25:11) and to promise a righteous future reign: “Behold, a king will reign in righteousness” (Isaiah 32:1).Jeremiah 23:5 anticipates the Messiah: “I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; He will reign wisely as King.” Zechariah climaxes the hope: “The LORD will be King over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9), forecasting the universal rule fulfilled in Jesus Christ (compareLuke 1:32-33).
Liturgical Usage
In corporate worship the verb fuels praise, especially in enthronement psalms (Psalms 47; 93; 96-99). The faithful rehearse God’s kingship to nurture trust amid political upheaval, modeling how modern congregations might worship regardless of temporal circumstances.
Theology of Kingship
1. Sovereignty: God “reigns” irrespective of human response (Psalm 103:19).
2. Mediation: Earthly kings are to reflect divine justice (Proverbs 31:4-5).
3. Covenant: The Davidic covenant secures an everlasting throne (2 Samuel 7:16;Psalm 89:29).
4. Accountability: Every king who “reigns” is evaluated by the Law and the Prophets (2 Kings 17:21-23).
5. Hope: The future reign of the Messiah integrates Old Testament promise with New Testament fulfillment (Revelation 11:15).
Ministry Significance
• Preaching: מָלַךְ calls the church to proclaim God’s absolute rule and Christ’s present kingship (Matthew 28:18).
• Discipleship: Believers live as subjects of a righteous King, pursuing obedience that mirrors His character (John 18:37).
• Leadership: Elders and pastors serve as stewards, not sovereigns (1 Peter 5:2-4), learning from both faithful and failed monarchs.
• Missions: The global scope of God’s reign fuels evangelism—“Say among the nations, ‘The LORD reigns’” (Psalm 96:10).
Christological Fulfillment
Moses sings that the LORD “will reign” (Exodus 15:18); the Gospels reveal Jesus as the promised Son of David who now reigns at God’s right hand (Acts 2:30-36). The verb thus forms a linguistically Jewish bridge to the Christian confession, “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15).
Summary
מָלַךְ threads through Scripture as a continual reminder that kings rise and fall under the hand of the One who “reigns forever and ever” (Exodus 15:18). For faith and practice today, it summons worship, trust, and allegiance to the true King whose kingdom shall never end.
Forms and Transliterations
אֶמְל֥וֹךְ אֶמְלֹ֑ךְ אמלוך אמלך בְּמָלְכ֑וֹ בְּמָלְכ֔וֹ בְּמָלְכ֗וֹ בְּמָלְכ֜וֹ בְּמָלְכֽוֹ׃ בְּמָלְכוֹ֙ בְמָלְכ֑וֹ בְמָלְכ֔וֹ בְמָלְכ֜וֹ במלכו במלכו׃ הֲמָלֹ֤ךְ הֲתִֽמְלֹ֔ךְ הִמְלִ֛יךְ הִמְלִ֥יךְ הִמְלִיכוּ֙ הִמְלַ֣כְתָּ הִמְלַ֤כְתִּי הִמְלַכְתִּ֖יךָ הִמְלַכְתַּ֔נִי הַמַּמְלִ֣יךְ הַמֹּלֵךְ֙ הָמְלַ֔ךְ המליך המליכו המלך המלכת המלכתי המלכתיך המלכתני הממליך התמלך וְהִמְלַכְתַּ֖נִי וְהִמְלַכְתָּ֥ וְנַמְלִ֥יךְ וַ֠יִּמְלֹךְ וַֽיִּמְלְכ֖וּ וַיִּ֨מְלָךְ־ וַיִּמְלֹ֑ךְ וַיִּמְלֹ֖ךְ וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ וַיִּמְלֹ֣ךְ וַיִּמְלֹ֤ךְ וַיִּמְלֹ֥ךְ וַיִּמְלֹ֨ךְ וַיִּמָּלֵ֨ךְ וַיַּמְלִ֖יכוּ וַיַּמְלִ֣יכוּ וַיַּמְלִ֣כוּ וַיַּמְלִ֤יכוּ וַיַּמְלִ֥יכוּ וַיַּמְלִ֥כוּ וַיַּמְלִ֧יכוּ וַיַּמְלִיכֶ֖הָ וַיַּמְלִיכֻ֥הוּ וַיַּמְלִיכוּ֩ וַיַּמְלִכֵ֙הוּ֙ וַיַּמְלִכוּ֩ וַיַּמְלֵ֛ךְ וַיַּמְלֵ֧ךְ וַיַּמְלֵ֨ךְ וַיַּמְלֵךְ֙ וַיַּמְלֵךְ֩ וַתַּמְלִ֖יכוּ וַתַּמְלִ֜יכוּ וָאַמְלִ֥יךְ וּמָ֣לַכְתָּ֔ וּמָ֤לַךְ וּמָלַ֨ךְ ואמליך והמלכת והמלכתני וימליכה וימליכהו וימליכו וימלך וימלך־ וימלכהו וימלכו ומלך ומלכת ונמליך ותמליכו יִמְל֑וֹךְ יִמְלָךְ־ יִמְלֹ֑כוּ יִמְלֹ֔ךְ יִמְלֹ֖ךְ יִמְלֹ֣ךְ יִמְלֹ֤ךְ ימלוך ימלך ימלך־ ימלכו כְמָלְכ֗וֹ כמלכו לְהַמְלִ֖יךְ לְהַמְלִ֥יךְ לְהַמְלִיכ֑וֹ לְהַמְלִיכ֔וֹ לְהַמְלִיכֽוֹ׃ לְמָלְכ֑וֹ לְמָלְכ֔וֹ לְמָלְכ֗וֹ לְמָלְכ֜וֹ לְמָלְכֽוֹ׃ לִמְלֹ֑ךְ לִמְלֹ֥ךְ להמליך להמליכו להמליכו׃ למלך למלכו למלכו׃ מְלָךְ־ מְלֹ֖ךְ מְלֹ֥ךְ מִ֭מְּלֹךְ מִמְּלֹ֖ךְ מִמְּלֹ֥ךְ מִמְּלֹ֖ךְ מָ֠לַךְ מָ֭לָךְ מָלְכ֖וּ מָלְכ֗וֹ מָלְכִ֥י מָלְכָ֥ה מָלְכוּ֙ מָלַ֔ךְ מָלַ֖ךְ מָלַ֗ךְ מָלַ֙כְתָּ֙ מָלַ֛ךְ מָלַ֞ךְ מָלַ֣ךְ מָלַ֤ךְ מָלַ֥ךְ מָלַ֨ךְ מָלַךְ֙ מָלָ֑ךְ מָלָ֗ךְ מָלָֽךְ׃ מָלָךְ֮ מָלֹ֖ךְ מֹלֵ֣ךְ מֹלֶ֥כֶת מלך מלך־ מלך׃ מלכה מלכו מלכי מלכת ממלך נַמְלִ֣יךְ נמליך תִּמְל֑וֹךְ תִּמְלֹ֖ךְ תִּמְלֹ֣ךְ תִּמְלֹךְ֙ תמלוך תמלך ’em·lō·wḵ ’em·lōḵ ’emlōḵ ’emlōwḵ bə·mā·lə·ḵōw ḇə·mā·lə·ḵōw bemaleCho bəmāləḵōw ḇəmāləḵōw chemaleCho emLoch hă·mā·lōḵ hā·mə·laḵ hă·ṯim·lōḵ ham·mam·lîḵ ham·mō·lêḵ hamaLoch hămālōḵ hameLach hāməlaḵ hammamLich hammamlîḵ hammoleCh hammōlêḵ hatimLoch hăṯimlōḵ him·laḵ·tā him·laḵ·ta·nî him·laḵ·tî him·laḵ·tî·ḵā him·lî·ḵū him·lîḵ himLachta himlachTani himLachti himlachTicha himlaḵtā himlaḵtanî himlaḵtî himlaḵtîḵā himLich himliChu himlîḵ himlîḵū ḵə·mā·lə·ḵōw ḵəmāləḵōw lə·ham·lî·ḵōw lə·ham·lîḵ lə·mā·lə·ḵōw lehamLich lehamliCho ləhamlîḵ ləhamlîḵōw lemaleCho ləmāləḵōw lim·lōḵ limLoch limlōḵ mā·laḵ mā·lāḵ mā·laḵ·tā mā·lə·ḵāh mā·lə·ḵî mā·lə·ḵōw mā·lə·ḵū mā·lōḵ maLach maLachta mālaḵ mālāḵ mālaḵtā malChu maleChah maleChi maleCho maleChu māləḵāh māləḵî māləḵōw māləḵū maLoch mālōḵ mə·lāḵ- mə·lōḵ məlāḵ- meloch məlōḵ mim·mə·lōḵ mimeLoch mimməlōḵ mō·le·ḵeṯ mō·lêḵ moLech moLechet mōlêḵ mōleḵeṯ nam·lîḵ namLich namlîḵ tim·lō·wḵ tim·lōḵ timloCh timlōḵ timlōwḵ ū·mā·laḵ ū·mā·laḵ·tā uMalach uMalachta ūmālaḵ ūmālaḵtā vaamLich vaiyamleCh vaiyamliCheha vaiyamliChehu vaiyamLichu vaiyamliChuhu vaiyimleChu vaiyimLoch vaiyimmaLech vattamLichu vehimlachTa vehimlachTani vemaleCho venamLich wā’amlîḵ wā·’am·lîḵ wat·tam·lî·ḵū wattamlîḵū way·yam·lêḵ way·yam·lî·ḵe·hā way·yam·li·ḵê·hū way·yam·li·ḵū way·yam·lî·ḵū way·yam·lî·ḵu·hū way·yim·lāḵ- way·yim·lə·ḵū way·yim·lōḵ way·yim·mā·lêḵ wayyamlêḵ wayyamlîḵehā wayyamliḵêhū wayyamliḵū wayyamlîḵū wayyamlîḵuhū wayyimlāḵ- wayyimləḵū wayyimlōḵ wayyimmālêḵ wə·him·laḵ·tā wə·him·laḵ·ta·nî wə·nam·lîḵ wəhimlaḵtā wəhimlaḵtanî wənamlîḵ yim·lāḵ- yim·lō·ḵū yim·lō·wḵ yim·lōḵ yimlāḵ- yimLoch yimLochu yimlōḵ yimlōḵū yimlōwḵ
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