מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh)
me.lekh
Melech
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Melech, meaning "king," appears only twice in Scripture, both times in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles chapter 8. It identifies a specific Benjamite, the second son of Micah and grandson of Mephibosheth. This brief mention places him within the lineage of Saul’s family during the era of the United Monarchy.
While the word melech is common in Hebrew for "ruler" or "sovereign," its use here as a personal name carries a distinct irony. The name belongs to a descendant of a king who had lost his throne, yet it retains the title itself. This usage reflects how names often preserved family identity and history even when political power had faded.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Names in Scripture often carry more weight than we immediately notice. In this brief genealogical record, a man named Melech appears not as a reigning monarch, but as a son in a family line that had lost its throne. His name, meaning 'king,' stands as a quiet reminder that identity in God’s story is not defined by current political power or social status.
For your faith, this offers a gentle comfort. Even when circumstances change and titles fade, your place in God’s narrative remains secure. You are known by name, just as Melech was recorded in the chronicles of his ancestors. This preservation suggests that every individual matters to God, regardless of their visibility or influence in the world around them.
Consider how this encourages you today. Your value does not depend on your achievements or position. Like those listed in these verses, you are part of a larger, enduring story where God keeps track of every name and every life with care and precision.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Melech2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וָ/מֶ֖לֶךְ2×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 8:35
The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz.
This verse lists Melech as a son of Micah, anchoring his identity within the specific lineage of Benjamin during the post-exilic restoration.
-
I Chronicles 9:41
The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz.
The repetition of this name in chapter 9 reinforces the importance of preserving family records for those returning from exile, highlighting Melech's place in the community's history.