← H4431 H4433 →

מֹלֶךְ

𐤌𐤋𐤊

Molekhe

H4432 noun

SILEX Entry

Root מלך to rule, be king, reign

Definition

Molek: the name of a god or divine figure associated with certain ritual practices, particularly acts of child sacrifice, in the context of Israelite and neighboring cultures. In most biblical contexts, מֹלֶךְ refers to a specific cultic figure to whom children were offered, often in connection with Ammonite or broader Canaanite religious practice. The term occasionally appears with the definite article or in a construct form, and may also denote a ritual type associated with royal authority or rulership.

Semantic Range

divine name (Molek/Molech), cultic or ritual figure associated with child sacrifice, possible title for a royal or ruling deity, term associated with Ammonite or Canaanite ritual or god; polemical target in prohibitive laws; by extension, symbol of abominable foreign worship

Root / Etymology

From the root מלך ('mlk') meaning 'to rule, be king.' The form מֹלֶךְ likely employs the vocalization pattern of 'bosheth' ('shame') as a deliberate alteration in the biblical text to critique or defame the original name or function. Related to, but distinct from, the generic word for king (מֶלֶךְ). Lexical connection to Ammonite divine names such as Milkom (מַלְכָּם), indicating a royal or kingly aspect. Exact cultic or theological significance of the name remains debated among scholars.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, מֹלֶךְ is frequently condemned, especially in legal and prophetic materials, as a focus of abominable rites (such as child sacrifice). The practice is associated with the Valley of Hinnom near Jerusalem (Gehenna in later periods), but also described as occurring in Ammonite religion. There is debate whether מֹלֶךְ originally referred to a deity, a title, or a type of sacrificial offering. The term differs from מֶלֶךְ ('king'), though later scribal or editorial practices suggest intentional conflation for polemical reasons. English translations often render מֹלֶךְ as 'Molech,' or occasionally 'the fire god Molech.' Some translate or footnote the term as 'the king,' but this obscures its cultic and polemical nuances. In post-biblical and later Jewish literature, the image of Molek evolved further as emblematic of idolatry and foreign abomination. Care must be taken not to confuse biblical references to Molek with generic kingship terms, or with Milkom, a distinct Ammonite deity.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from מָלַךְ; Molek (i.e. king), the chief deity of the Ammonites; Molech. Compare מַלְכָּם.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

+ Add Bantu Hebrew Word

Root Family

מלך (m-l-k) — to rule, be king, reign

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

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4432-02 לַ/מֹּ֑לֶךְ lamolekhe HRd/Np to Molech to the Molek to Molekhe 6
H4432-04 וּ/לְ/מֹ֕לֶךְ ulemolekhe HC/R/Np and for Molech and to Molek and to Molekhe 1
H4432-03 מַלְכְּ/כֶ֔ם malekekhem HNcmsc/Sp2mp your-king your ruling-god your ruling-god 1
H4432-01 הַ/מֹּ֖לֶךְ hamolekhe HTd/Np the-Molech the King-deity Molek the Molekhe 1

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4432-02 Leviticus 18:21 לַ/מֹּ֑לֶךְ lamolekhe HRd/Np to Molech to the Molek to Molekhe
H4432-02 Leviticus 20:2 לַ/מֹּ֖לֶךְ lamolekhe HRd/Np to Molech to the Molek to Molekhe
H4432-02 Leviticus 20:3 לַ/מֹּ֔לֶךְ lamolekhe HRd/Np to Molech to the Molek to Molekhe
H4432-02 Leviticus 20:4 לַ/מֹּ֑לֶךְ lamolekhe HRd/Np to Molech to the Molek to Molekhe
H4432-01 Leviticus 20:5 הַ/מֹּ֖לֶךְ hamolekhe HTd/Np the-Molech the King-deity Molek the Molekhe
H4432-04 1 Kings 11:7 וּ/לְ/מֹ֕לֶךְ ulemolekhe HC/R/Np and for Molech and to Molek and to Molekhe
H4432-02 2 Kings 23:10 לַ/מֹּֽלֶךְ lamolekhe HRd/Np to Molech to the Molek to Molekhe
H4432-02 Jeremiah 32:35 לַ/מֹּלֶךְ֒ lamolekhe HRd/Np to Molech to the Molek to Molekhe
H4432-03 Amos 5:26 מַלְכְּ/כֶ֔ם malekekhem HNcmsc/Sp2mp your-king your ruling-god your ruling-god
← H4431 Hebrew Lexicon H4433 →