מִלְכָּה (mil.kah)
mil.kah
Milcah
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Milcah, meaning "queen," appears ten times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the Genesis narrative and later genealogical records. It identifies two distinct women in Scripture: one from the patriarchal era and another from the tribal period of Joshua.
The first Milcah is a daughter of Haran and sister to Lot. She marries her uncle Nahor, Abraham’s brother, and becomes the mother of eight sons, including Bethuel, whose son Rebekah marries Isaac (Genesis 11:29; 22:20-23). This Milcah anchors a key branch of Abraham’s family tree in Mesopotamia.
The second Milcah is a daughter of Zelophehad, mentioned in Numbers 27:1 and Joshua 17:3. As one of five sisters who successfully petition Moses for inheritance rights when their father died without sons, she represents a notable instance of women claiming legal standing in early Israelite society.
Though the name itself is brief, its occurrences highlight both familial lineage and legal precedent within the biblical text.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Milcah means "queen," yet Scripture presents her not through royal titles but through quiet faithfulness and courageous action. In Genesis, she anchors a vital branch of Abraham’s family tree as the wife of Nahor and mother of Bethuel. Her lineage leads directly to Rebekah, whose story reminds us that God often works through ordinary families to fulfill His promises.
Centuries later, another Milcah appears in Numbers and Joshua as one of Zelophehad’s daughters. When their father died without sons, these women stepped forward to claim their inheritance, showing that faith includes standing up for justice within the community. Their story highlights how God values dignity and rights for all His people, regardless of gender.
Whether seen as a matriarch in Mesopotamia or a petitioner before Moses, Milcah’s name points to a deeper truth: God honors those who remain faithful in their roles and those who seek fairness with courage. Her legacy encourages us to trust that our place in God’s family is secure and valued.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Milcah8×
- and/ Milcah2×
- [was] Milcah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִלְכָּ֖ה3×
- מִלְכָּ֔ה3×
- מִלְכָּ֥ה1×
- מִלְכָּ֕ה1×
- מִלְכָּ֑ה1×
- וּ/מִלְכָּ֛ה1×
- וּ/מִלְכָּ֖ה1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 11:29
Abram and Nahor married wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, who was also the father of Iscah.
This verse introduces Milcah as the wife of Nahor, establishing her role in connecting Abraham’s extended family to the line that will produce Isaac’s wife.
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Genesis 24:15
Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder.
The servant identifies Rebekah by tracing her lineage back through Bethuel to Milcah, showing how this name preserves the sacred family history.
-
Numbers 27:1
Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
Milcah is named among Zelophehad’s daughters who approach Moses, marking a pivotal moment where women assert their legal rights in Israel.
-
Joshua 17:3
But Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons, but daughters. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
Her name appears again when the land inheritance is distributed, confirming that her family’s claim was upheld and recognized by God’s people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Milcah mean?
Are there two different women named Milcah in the Bible?
Why is Milcah important in Genesis?
What can we learn from Milcah the daughter of Zelophehad?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 3 books)
Genesis 6 verses
Abram and Nahor married wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the…
Genesis 22:20After these things, Abraham was told, “Behold, Milcah, she also has borne children to your brother Nahor:
Genesis 22:23Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.
Genesis 24:15Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of…
Genesis 24:24She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.”
Genesis 24:47I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to…