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מְלַךְ

𐤌𐤋𐤊

mᵉlak

H4431 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A decision, intention, or act of deliberate counsel; the product of thoughtful deliberation or consultation, particularly in a royal or administrative context, such as a decision made by a monarch or high official after considering advice. In broader usage, also denotes planning or the process of forming policy.

Semantic Range

deliberation, decision, formal advice, royal or administrative counsel, plan, resolution, decree

Root / Etymology

Root: מלך (Aramaic: מלך; cf. Hebrew מָלַךְ), meaning 'to rule, reign, be king.' The Aramaic noun מְלַךְ (mᵉlak) is derived not from the sense of 'to be king,' but from the associated meaning of exercising deliberation or counsel typical in royal or authoritative settings. Thus, while the base root means 'to rule,' the noun came to denote the decision or counsel associated with such rulers.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the books of Daniel and Ezra, מְלַךְ refers to an act of thoughtful deliberation, often by monarchy or high officials. The word’s usage is chiefly administrative or political, indicating the process or result of making decisions, decrees, or policies. Its range is somewhat broader than the English 'advice' or 'counsel,' as it carries the connotation of a formal decision, usually with authoritative power. In post-exilic and Second Temple contexts, the term reflects the bureaucratic language of imperial administration (e.g., Persian, Babylonian courts) more than tribal Israelite tradition. Distinct from Hebrew עֵצָה (ʿētsāh, 'advice, counsel'), which is more general and informal, מְלַךְ has a formal, institutional nuance. English Bible translations typically render the term as 'decision,' 'counsel,' or sometimes 'decree,' but may not always reflect the underlying connotations of formal deliberation or royal context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to מָלַךְ in the sense of consultation; advice; counsel.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

מלך (m-l-k) — to rule, to reign, to act as king, to deliberate

Root מלך to rule, to reign, to act as king, to take counsel (in Aramaic extension)
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3230 יַמְלֵךְ He-Will-Reign
H4409 מַלּוּךְ to Reigning-One
H4427 מָלַךְ in his reigning
H4428 מֶלֶךְ among the kings
H4429 מֶלֶךְ the sovereign

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4431-01 מִלְכִּ/י֙ mileki ANcmsc/Sp1cs my lord my royal counsel my counsel 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4431-01 Daniel 4:24 מִלְכִּ/י֙ mileki ANcmsc/Sp1cs my lord my royal counsel my counsel
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