מַלְכָּה (mal.kah)
mal.kah
Queen (of Sheba)
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 34 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun malkeh denotes a female monarch or queen, formed as the feminine counterpart to the word for king. In the Old Testament, it appears most frequently in the book of Esther, where it identifies Vashti and later Esther as rulers in their own right within the Persian court. The term also describes the Queen of Sheba, whose famous visit to Solomon is recorded in both 1 Kings 10 and 2 Chronicles 9.
Song of Solomon uses the plural form to refer to royal women, contrasting them with concubines to highlight the unique status of the bride. While the word simply means "queen," its usage in Esther underscores the political power women could wield in ancient courts. The sources note that this title is applied to figures who exercise authority independently, rather than merely serving as consorts to a male ruler.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word malkeh identifies a woman who holds royal authority in her own right, not merely as a consort but as a ruler with distinct power and agency. In the Old Testament, this title appears most often in Esther, where Vashti and Esther navigate complex political landscapes with courage and wisdom. It also describes the Queen of Sheba, who traveled far to test Solomon’s wisdom, bringing gifts that highlighted her own status and influence.
For believers today, these stories remind us that God uses people from all walks of life, including women in positions of leadership, to accomplish His purposes. The Queen of Sheba sought truth through inquiry, while Esther acted with bravery to save her people. Their examples show that faith and wisdom can coexist with authority and influence.
When we read about these queens, we see that God values integrity and courage regardless of gender or status. Whether in ancient Persia or modern times, those who seek God’s wisdom and act with justice reflect His character. This word invites us to recognize the dignity and responsibility inherent in every role we hold.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 34 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ queen23×
- [the] queen of4×
- to/ [the] queen of2×
- queens2×
- and/ [the] queen of2×
- with the/ queen1×
- and/ the/ queen1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הַ/מַּלְכָּ֔ה6×
- מַֽלְכַּת\־4×
- הַ/מַּלְכָּ֑ה4×
- הַ/מַּלְכָּ֛ה3×
- לְ/מַֽלְכַּת\־2×
- וּ/מַֽלְכַּת\־2×
- הַ/מַּלְכָּה֙2×
- הַ/מַּלְכָּ֧ה2×
- הַ/מַּלְכָּ֗ה2×
- הַ/מַּלְכָּ֖ה2×
- מְּלָכ֔וֹת1×
- מְלָכ֥וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 10:1
When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning Yahweh’s name, she came to test him with hard questions.
This verse introduces the queen of Sheba as a seeker of wisdom, using malkeh to establish her independent authority and purpose.
-
Esther 1:9
Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.
Here malkeh identifies Vashti holding her own feast for women, demonstrating that the title denotes active royal agency rather than passive association.
-
Esther 5:2
When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.
The text uses malkeh for Esther when she approaches the king, highlighting her recognized status as a ruler who can petition for her people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word malkeh mean?
How is malkeh different from other words for royal women?
Where does this word appear most frequently?
Why is the Queen of Sheba called malkeh?
Every Occurrence (34 verses across 4 books)
I Kings 4 verses
When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning Yahweh’s name, she came to test him with hard questions.
I Kings 10:4When the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built,
I Kings 10:10She gave the king one hundred twenty talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never…
I Kings 10:13King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, in addition to that which Solomon gave her…