Μαλελεήλ (Maleleēl)
Maleleēl
Mahalaleel
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Maleleel, appearing only once in the New Testament at Luke 3:37, is a Greek rendering of the Hebrew Mahalaleel, meaning "Praise of God." It identifies one of the ancestral figures listed in Jesus’s genealogy, specifically noted as the son of Cainan and the father of Jared.
As a proper noun within this lineage, the word carries no independent grammatical function beyond identifying the individual. Its significance lies entirely in its placement within the historical record that connects Adam to Christ. The inclusion of this name underscores the continuity of the human family tree and the specific heritage traced through Luke’s account.
Translators consistently preserve the form Maleleel or Mahalaleel to maintain fidelity to the source texts. The term serves as a marker of generational succession, highlighting the long line of ancestors who precede the central figure of the Gospel narrative without adding further descriptive detail or theological commentary beyond its identity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Maleleel appears in Luke’s genealogy as a link between ancient history and Jesus Christ. It means “Praise of God,” reminding us that even unnamed ancestors played a part in God’s plan. Their lives, though quiet, were essential to the story of salvation.
When we read this list, we see God’s faithfulness across generations. Each name connects Adam to Jesus, showing that God never forgets His promises. This continuity encourages us to trust that God is working in our own lives, even when the path seems long or unclear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of Mahalalel1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Μαλελεὴλ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 3:37
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,
This verse places Maleleel in the direct line from Adam to Jesus, highlighting his role as a bridge between earlier patriarchs and the coming Messiah.