מַלְכִּישׁוּעַ (mal.ki.shu.a)
mal.ki.shu.a
Malchi-shua
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Malkishuʿa means "my king is wealth," combining the words for king and riches. It belongs to a son of King Saul and his wife Ahinoam, placing him within the royal family of Benjamin during Israel’s United Monarchy. He appears alongside his brothers Jonathan and Abinadab in the genealogical records that trace Saul’s lineage.
Lexical sources note that this name surfaces primarily in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel, often listed among Saul’s children to establish tribal connections. The occurrence of such a name reflects the common ancient practice of embedding theological or aspirational statements within personal names, asserting divine provision or royal status even in times of political instability.
While less prominent than his brother Jonathan, Malkishuʿa’s mention helps anchor the narrative of Saul’s house in historical context. His name serves as a linguistic marker of the period, reminding readers of the human families behind the biblical accounts of monarchy and conflict.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Malchi-shua, meaning "my king is wealth," offers a quiet glimpse into the personal hopes of ancient Israelite families. Names in Scripture often carried deep aspirations, and this one reflects a desire for divine provision and royal stability during turbulent times. While Malchi-shua himself remains a background figure in the genealogies of Saul’s house, his name reminds us that every individual, no matter how briefly mentioned, holds significance in God’s historical narrative.
His appearance alongside his brothers Jonathan and Abinadab highlights the close-knit nature of Saul’s family. The tragic loss of these sons at the hands of the Philistines serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of earthly power. Yet, even in the shadow of defeat, the recording of their names preserves their memory, showing that God values the details of human lives. This invites us to trust in His sovereignty over our own histories, knowing that our stories are held securely in His hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Shua5×
- Malki-4×
- and/ Malki-1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מַלְכִּי\־4×
- שׁ֖וּעַ2×
- שׁ֔וּעַ2×
- שׁ֑וּעַ1×
- וּ/מַלְכִּי\־1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 31:2
The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
This verse records the tragic death of Malchi-shua alongside his brothers, marking the end of Saul’s immediate royal line and highlighting the human cost of the conflict.
-
I Chronicles 8:33
Ner became the father of Kish. Kish became the father of Saul. Saul became the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal.
Here, Malchi-shua is listed in the genealogy of Saul, anchoring his identity within the tribal lineage of Benjamin and preserving his place in Israel’s history.
-
I Samuel 14:49
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his two daughters were these: the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal.
This passage identifies Malchi-shua as one of Saul’s sons, providing context for his family relationships alongside his more famous brother Jonathan.