### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term malʼăkûwth (`{{H4400}}`) is derived from the same root as malʼāk (`{{H4397}}`), which signifies "messenger" or "angel." Consequently, the core meaning of malʼăkûwth is "a message" or "an errand." It denotes the specific content, purpose, or objective that a messenger is dispatched to deliver or accomplish. Unlike broader terms for "word" or "matter," malʼăkûwth carries the nuance of communication that is actively conveyed by an agent. Its semantic range is narrow, precisely focusing on the concept of a communication or mission.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term malʼăkûwth (`{{H4400}}`) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, making its sole occurrence particularly significant for understanding its precise usage. This unique instance is found in [[2 Chronicles 32:31]]: "However, regarding the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to inquire about the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart." Here, malʼăkûwth refers to the "message" or "errand" of the Babylonian envoys. They were sent not merely to visit, but specifically "to inquire about the wonder," which was Hezekiah's miraculous recovery and the sign of the sun's shadow retreating. The word emphasizes the *purpose* of their diplomatic mission, which was an inquiry. In this context, the message itself becomes the instrument through which God tests Hezekiah, revealing the king's true spiritual state and reliance on God versus his own pride or political acumen.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related and foundational word is malʼāk (`{{H4397}}`), meaning "messenger" or "angel." The malʼăkûwth is inherently linked to the malʼāk, as it is the very thing the messenger carries or embodies. Other relevant concepts include:
* dābār (`{{H1697}}`): This is a much broader term meaning "word," "thing," "matter," or "message." While it can encompass the idea of a message, malʼăkûwth specifies a message carried by an envoy or as part of a specific mission.
* šālach (`{{H7971}}`): The verb "to send." The act of sending is prerequisite to a malʼăkûwth, as a message requires a sender and a recipient via an intermediary.
* Concepts of mission, embassy, or diplomatic inquiry are all intertwined with malʼăkûwth, as seen in its sole biblical context.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of malʼăkûwth in [[2 Chronicles 32:31]] carries profound theological weight. The "message" from Babylon was not a random event but a divinely orchestrated test for King Hezekiah. God "left him alone to test him," using the Babylonian inquiry as the specific occasion to reveal "all that was in his heart." This highlights several theological truths:
1. **Divine Sovereignty:** God is sovereign over all human interactions, even seemingly secular diplomatic exchanges. He can use any "message" or event as an instrument for His purposes.
2. **Testing and Revelation:** The message served as a crucible for Hezekiah's faith. God allows circumstances, including external communications, to enter a person's life to expose their true spiritual condition, whether it be reliance on God or self-sufficiency.
3. **Consequences of Pride:** While Hezekiah had experienced miraculous healing and a sign, his response to the Babylonian message, which likely involved displaying his wealth and power rather than testifying to God's wonder, revealed a heart prone to pride. The "message" became the catalyst for this revelation.
Thus, malʼăkûwth underscores God's active involvement in human affairs, employing even specific communications to test, teach, and guide His people.
### Summary
Malʼăkûwth (`{{H4400}}`) is a rare but precise Hebrew term denoting "a message" or "an errand," inherently tied to the concept of a messenger (`{{H4397}}`). Its sole biblical occurrence in [[2 Chronicles 32:31]] describes the diplomatic inquiry from the Babylonian princes to King Hezekiah. In this context, the "message" served as a divine test, orchestrated by God to reveal Hezekiah's true heart and his reliance (or lack thereof) on the Lord. The word, though infrequent, powerfully illustrates God's sovereign use of human interactions and communications as instruments in His providential plan to test, refine, and reveal the spiritual state of individuals.
TRV