English · KJV
H4406

מִלָּה

millâh /mil-law'/ Ask about this word
Root(Aramaic) corresponding to מִלָּה
Meaninga word, command, discourse, or subject
KJV usagecommandment, matter, thing. word.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of millâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Aramaic word millâh, represented by H4406, is a versatile term for a word, command, discourse, or subject. It appears 24 times across 22 unique verses in the Bible. Its meaning is broad, encompassing not only a spoken utterance but also a general matter, thing, or official commandment.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the book of Daniel, H4406 is used in several distinct contexts. It can refer to a royal edict, as when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego "changed the king's word" by defying his command to worship an idol Daniel 3:28. It also describes spoken utterances, such as the prophetic warning of a figure who will "speak great words against the most High" Daniel 7:25. Furthermore, it is used more generally to signify a "matter" or "thing," as when Daniel makes the thing known to his companions Daniel 2:17 or when he keeps the visionary matter in his heart Daniel 7:28.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words clarify the meaning of H4406:

  • H560 ʼămar (to say): This verb is frequently used to describe the act of communicating a millâh. The Chaldeans were accused of preparing corrupt words to speak before the king Daniel 2:9.
  • H1882 dâth (decree, law): This term connects to the authoritative nature of a millâh. A royal command is affirmed as a true thing H4406 according to the law H1882 of the Medes and Persians Daniel 6:12.
  • H3046 yᵉdaʻ (to know, make known): This verb is central to revealing a millâh. Daniel's companions desire that God would make known the king's matter H4406 to them Daniel 2:23, and Arioch made the thing H4406 known to Daniel Daniel 2:15.
  • H4449 mᵉlal (to speak): This verb directly relates to H4406 as a spoken word. A horn in Daniel's vision has a mouth that spake great words H4406 Daniel 7:11.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4406 is evident in its usage throughout Daniel's prophetic accounts.

  • Divine vs. Human Authority: The term highlights the conflict between earthly power and divine faithfulness. While Nebuchadnezzar issues a word H4406 as a command, his servants defy it to honor God Daniel 3:28. A future ruler will use "great words" H4406 to oppose the Most High Daniel 7:25.
  • Revelation of Divine Matters: A millâh often represents a secret or subject that only God can reveal. The wise men of Babylon cannot show the king's matter H4406 Daniel 2:10, but God makes it known to Daniel Daniel 2:23. God provides the interpretation of the thing H4406 written on the wall Daniel 5:26.
  • Carrier of Truth or Falsehood: The context of a millâh determines its nature. The Chaldeans are accused of preparing "lying and corrupt words" H4406 Daniel 2:9, while a royal decree is confirmed as a "true" thing H4406 Daniel 6:12.

Summary

In summary, H4406 is more than a simple term for "word." It functions as a key Aramaic concept in Scripture, denoting a matter of great importance, a royal command, or a divinely revealed truth. Its use in the book of Daniel consistently places it at the center of conflicts between human decrees and divine will, underscoring that a "matter" or "command" carries immense weight in the outworking of God's sovereign plan.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 24 occurrences, inflected in 6 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • מִלְּתָ
  • מִלַּת
  • מִלִּין
  • מִלַּיָּ
  • מִלָּה
  • מִלֵּי

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H560 אֲמַר (Aramaic) corresponding to אָמַר; {to say (used with great latitude)}; command, declare, say, speak, tell. H1882 דָּת (Aramaic) corresponding to דָּת; {a royal edict or statute}; decree, law. H3046 יְדַע (Aramaic) corresponding to יָדַע; {to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figura H4449 מְלַל (Aramaic) corresponding to מָלַל; to speak; say, speak(-ing).

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

22 verses, all in Daniel — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.