Topical Encyclopedia
Etymology and Meaning:The name "Melech" is derived from the Hebrew word "מֶלֶךְ" (melek), meaning "king." This name is indicative of authority and leadership, often associated with royalty or governance in the biblical context.
Biblical References:The name Melech appears in various contexts within the Old Testament, often associated with different individuals or as part of compound names. It is important to distinguish between these occurrences to understand the specific references.
1.
Melech as a Descendant of Benjamin: In
1 Chronicles 8:35, Melech is mentioned as one of the sons of Micah, a descendant of King Saul through Jonathan. The passage states: "The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz." This genealogical listing places Melech within the tribe of Benjamin, highlighting the continuation of Saul's lineage.
2.
Melech in Compound Names: The term "Melech" also appears as part of compound names, such as Abimelech, which means "my father is king." Abimelech is a name borne by several individuals in the Bible, including a son of Gideon (Judges 9) and a Philistine king during the time of Abraham (Genesis 20). These compound names often reflect the cultural and religious significance of kingship in ancient Israel and surrounding regions.
Cultural and Theological Significance:The concept of kingship, as reflected in the name Melech, holds substantial theological importance in the biblical narrative. Kingship in Israel was intended to reflect God's sovereign rule over His people. The desire for a human king, as expressed by the Israelites in
1 Samuel 8, was seen as a rejection of God's direct kingship. However, God permitted the establishment of a monarchy, beginning with Saul, from whose lineage Melech descends.
The role of a king in Israel was to lead the people in accordance with God's laws, ensuring justice and righteousness. The ideal king was one who would shepherd the people, as exemplified by King David, a man after God's own heart (
1 Samuel 13:14). The failures and successes of Israel's kings are chronicled throughout the historical books, providing lessons on leadership and obedience to God.
Melech in Historical Context:The historical context of Melech's mention in 1 Chronicles situates him during the post-exilic period when the Chronicler was compiling genealogies to affirm the continuity of Israel's tribal identities. This period was marked by a renewed emphasis on covenant faithfulness and the restoration of religious practices.
Conclusion:While the specific details about Melech, the son of Micah, are limited, his inclusion in the genealogical records underscores the importance of lineage and heritage in the biblical narrative. The name itself, meaning "king," serves as a reminder of the central theme of kingship and its implications for Israel's identity and relationship with God.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Melechking; counselor
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Melechthe second son of Micah, the son of Merib-baal or Mephibosheth. (1 Chronicles 8:35;9:41)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
King, the second of Micah's four sons (
1 Chronicles 8:35), and thus grandson of Mephibosheth.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MELECHme'-lek (melekh, "king"): Great-grandson of Jonathan, son of Saul, grandson of Mephibosheth or Meribbaal (1 Chronicles 8:35;1 Chronicles 9:41).
Strong's Hebrew
5663. Ebed Melek -- "servant of a king," an official under King...... "servant of a king," an official under King Zedekiah. Transliteration: Ebed Melek
Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-bed meh'-lek) Short Definition: Ebed-
melech.
...5419. Nethan-melek -- "given of a king," a leader in Judah
... "given of a king," a leader in Judah. Transliteration: Nethan-melek Phonetic Spelling:
(neth-an' meh'-lek) Short Definition: Nathan-melech.... Nathan-melech....
4429. Melek -- a Benjamite
... 4428, 4429. Melek. 4430 . a Benjamite. Transliteration: Melek Phonetic Spelling:
(meh'-lek) Short Definition:Melech....Melech, Hammelech....
7278. Regem Melek -- "king's heap," an Israelite
... NASB Word Usage Regemmelech (1). Regem-melech. From Regem and melek; king's heap;
Regem-Melek, an Israelite -- Regem-melech. see HEBREW Regem. see HEBREW melek....
Library
Psalm LXXXVIII.
... 1. The Title of this eighty-seventh Psalm contains a fresh subject for enquiry:
the words occurring here, "forMelech to respond," being nowhere else found....
Index of Names and Subjects.
... Duhm, Professor, 8, 15, 37, 38, 40, 82, 83, 91, 98, 115, 166, 194, 222, 227, 243,
244, 257, 268, 269, 276, 287, 295, 300, 312, 329, 375, etc. Ebed-Melech, 281....
The Siege. (xxi, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvii, xxxviii. )
... others seem to have stirred to rescue the Prophet"unless Baruch had a hand in what
he tells and is characteristically silent about it"Ebed-melech, a...
Chapter xx
... and J is claimed to be in error. "Abimelech" means "my father is king,"
or "Melech is father.". 3. But God came to Abimelech in a...
Life.
... With the type of name, cf. Melchi and the compounds ofMelech (eg Abimelech) in
Scripture, and King, LeRoy, Koenig, among modern names. [7] Greg. Nyss., Vit....
The Nations of the South-East
... into cloth. In the time of Ahab, Mesha, the son of Chemosh-melech, sent each
year 100,000 lambs and 100,000 rams. Mesha subsequently...
Here Beginneth the Life of Isaac
... his father saw not gladly the daughters of Canaan, he went to Ishmael, and took
him a wife beside them that he had taken tofore, that wasMelech, daughter of...
Appendices
... (See page 112). 1. I am Mesha the son of Chemosh-melech, king of Moab, the Dibonite.
2. My father reigned over Moab thirty years, and I reigned....
Against Jovinianus.
... Their type is [4322] Ebed-melech the eunuch in Jeremiah, and the eunuch of Queen
Candace in the [4323] Acts of the Apostles, who on account of the strength of...
The Prophet Joel.
... uncommon. Among the Rabbinical interpreters, it was held by Kimchi, Abenezra,
SBMelech, who explain it of a timely rain. Calvin...
Thesaurus
Melech (7 Occurrences)... of Mephibosheth. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MELECH. me'-lek
... 9:41).
Multi-Version Concordance
Melech (7 Occurrences). 1 Kings
...Ebed-melech (6 Occurrences)
Ebed-melech. Ebedmelech, Ebed-melech. E'bed-Mel'ech . Easton's Bible Dictionary...
39:15-18). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EBED-MELECH....
Nathan-melech (1 Occurrence)
Nathan-melech. Nathanmelech, Nathan-melech. Nation . Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia NATHAN-MELECH. na'-than-mel'-ek (nethan...
Regem-melech (1 Occurrence)
Regem-melech. Regemmelech, Regem-melech. Reg'em-mel'ech . Easton's Bible
Dictionary... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. REGEM-MELECH....
Nethan-melech (1 Occurrence)
Nethan-melech. Nethani'ah, Nethan-melech. Nether . Multi-Version
Concordance Nethan-melech (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 23...
Allam'melech (1 Occurrence)
Allam'melech. Allammelech, Allam'melech. Allam-melech .
Multi-Version Concordance Allam'melech (1 Occurrence). Joshua...
Allam-melech (1 Occurrence)
Allam-melech. Allam'melech, Allam-melech. Allar . Multi-Version
Concordance Allam-melech (1 Occurrence). Joshua 19:26...
Adram'melech (3 Occurrences)
Adram'melech. Adrammelech, Adram'melech. Adramyttian . Multi-Version
Concordance Adram'melech (3 Occurrences). 2 Kings...
Anam'melech (1 Occurrence)
Anam'melech. Anammelech, Anam'melech. Anan . Multi-Version
Concordance Anam'melech (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 17:31 and...
Cushite (15 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 38:7 Now when Ebed-melech the Cushite, one of the eunuchs who was in the
king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then...
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