מַלְאַךְ (mal.akh)
mal.akh
angel
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The word mal’akh in Daniel is an Aramaic form meaning angel or messenger. It carries the same basic sense as its Hebrew counterpart, describing a divine agent sent to deliver a message or act on God’s behalf. In the context of Daniel, this term appears in visions where heavenly beings reveal future events or provide protection.
While the Hebrew Bible uses mal’akh frequently for both human and divine messengers, Daniel’s Aramaic section tends to reserve it for supernatural figures. This reflects the book’s bilingual nature: Hebrew sections often use mal’akh for earthly envoys too, but in Aramaic, the word leans toward celestial beings. The term underscores God’s sovereignty over history, as these angels serve as instruments of His will.
Though rare outside Daniel, its usage highlights how ancient audiences understood divine communication. Angels were not mere symbols but active participants in unfolding prophecy. Translators typically render it “angel,” preserving the idea of a messenger bridging heaven and earth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mal’akh describes a messenger sent by God to act on His behalf. In Daniel 3:28, Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that God sent an angel to deliver Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. This shows that angels are active participants in God’s plan, not just distant symbols.
For your faith, this means you are never alone in your trials. God uses these heavenly beings to protect and guide His people. When you face difficult situations, remember that God is sovereign over history and sends help when needed. This truth brings comfort and hope in uncertain times.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- angel/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַלְאֲכֵ/הּ֙1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 3:28
Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god except their own God.
This verse highlights the angel's role in delivering faithful servants from danger, showing God's protective power.