feminine passive participle of מָלַךְ; something ruled, i.e. a realm; kingsom, king's, [idiom] royal.
Transliteration:mᵉlûwkâh
Pronunciation:mel-oo-kaw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מְלוּכָה (mᵉlûwkâh, `{{H4410}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the verbal root מָלַךְ (malak, `{{H4427}}`), meaning "to reign" or "to be king." As a passive participle, its core meaning encompasses "that which is ruled" or "the state of being ruled." This gives rise to its primary semantic range: "kingship," "reign," "kingdom," or "royalty."
Unlike מֶלֶךְ (melek, `{{H4428}}`), which denotes the king himself, מְלוּכָה refers to the abstract concept of royal authority, the concrete territory over which a king rules, the period of a king's rule, or the very institution of monarchy. It can denote the dignity and power inherent in the royal office, as well as the political entity governed by a king.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מְלוּכָה appears frequently in the historical books of the Old Testament, particularly in 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles, where the establishment, succession, and dissolution of the Israelite monarchy are detailed.
In many instances, מְלוּכָה refers to the *realm* or *territory* of a king. For example, after Saul's anointing, the "matter of the kingdom" (or "the kingship") is discussed ([[1 Samuel 10:16]]), and later, the people are called to "renew the kingdom there" at Gilgal ([[1 Samuel 11:14]]), signifying the establishment of Saul's reign and its recognition. The phrase "Saul took the kingdom over Israel" ([[1 Samuel 14:47]]) clearly denotes his assumption of royal authority and dominion over the nation.
It also frequently denotes the *period* or *duration* of a king's rule. For instance, "In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim" ([[Jeremiah 26:1]]) or "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah" ([[Daniel 1:1]]) use מְלוּכָה to specify the time frame. Similarly, "in the latter part of their reign" ([[Daniel 8:23]]) refers to the end of a specific period of rule.
Furthermore, מְלוּכָה can signify the *office* or *institution* of kingship itself. The LORD's declaration to Saul that He has "torn the kingdom of Israel from you today" ([[1 Samuel 15:28]]) refers to the removal of the kingship from Saul's lineage. Adonijah's ambition for the throne is expressed as "all Israel had set their faces on me, that I should reign" ([[1 Kings 2:15]]), where מְלוּכָה refers to the royal office he sought. God's judgment on Solomon is likewise expressed as "I will surely tear the kingdom from you" ([[1 Kings 11:11]]), indicating the division of his royal authority.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of מְלוּכָה is enriched by understanding its relationship to other key terms:
* **מָלַךְ (malak, `{{H4427}}`):** The foundational verb "to reign," "to be king." מְלוּכָה is the direct nominalization of this action, representing the state or sphere of reigning.
* **מֶלֶךְ (melek, `{{H4428}}`):** "King." This noun refers to the person who holds the מְלוּכָה. The king is the embodiment and agent of the kingdom.
* **מַלְכוּת (malkuth, `{{H4438}}`):** "Kingship," "reign," "kingdom." This is perhaps the most significant related term. While מְלוּכָה and מַלְכוּת often overlap in meaning and can sometimes be used interchangeably, מַלְכוּת tends to emphasize the abstract concept of dominion, sovereignty, or royal power, and is frequently used in reference to God's universal and eternal reign (e.g., "His kingdom rules over all," [[Psalm 103:19]]). מְלוּכָה, while also denoting kingship, often focuses more on the concrete aspects: the realm, the duration of rule, or the human institution of kingship. For instance, מַלְכוּת is more common for the "Kingdom of God," whereas מְלוּכָה is more frequently applied to earthly kingdoms.
* **מִמְשָׁל (mimshal, `{{H4475}}`):** "Dominion," "rule." This term broadly refers to authority or governance, often without the specific royal connotation of מְלוּכָה.
### Theological Significance
The concept of מְלוּכָה carries profound theological weight within the Old Testament narrative:
* **Divine Ordination of Kingship:** Even though Israel initially resisted the idea of a human king ([[1 Samuel 8:4-22]]), the institution of מְלוּכָה was ultimately established by divine decree. God chose Saul and then David, indicating that human kingship, when rightly exercised, was intended to reflect God's own righteous rule on earth. The stability or instability of the מְלוּכָה often served as a barometer of Israel's faithfulness to God.
* **God's Sovereignty Over Earthly Kingdoms:** While מְלוּכָה refers to human rule, the biblical narrative consistently demonstrates that all earthly kingdoms operate under the ultimate sovereignty of God. He is the one who "removes kings and sets up kings" ([[Daniel 2:21]]). The rise and fall of various מְלוּכָה throughout history are depicted as part of God's overarching plan, ultimately pointing to His supreme מַלְכוּת (malkuth, `{{H4438}}`).
* **The Davidic Covenant and Messianic Hope:** The מְלוּכָה of David's line was given a unique promise of eternality ([[2 Samuel 7:16]]). This covenant elevated the concept of Israelite kingship beyond a mere political institution, imbuing it with eschatological significance. The failures of subsequent Davidic kings to perfectly uphold this מְלוּכָה underscored the need for a future, perfect King—the Messiah—whose מְלוּכָה would be righteous, eternal, and universal, fulfilling the promises made to David.
* **Anticipation of God's Perfect Rule:** The human מְלוּכָה in Israel, with all its inherent flaws and failures, served as a tangible, albeit imperfect, representation of God's desire for righteous governance among His people. Its shortcomings highlighted the ultimate necessity of God's direct, perfect, and everlasting מַלְכוּת (malkuth, `{{H4438}}`), which would be fully realized in the coming of the Messiah.
### Summary
מְלוּכָה (mᵉlûwkâh, `{{H4410}}`) is a crucial Hebrew term denoting "kingship," "reign," or "kingdom." Derived from the root מָלַךְ (malak, `{{H4427}}`), it refers to the concrete aspects of royal authority: the realm governed, the duration of a king's rule, or the office and institution of monarchy itself. While closely related to מַלְכוּת (malkuth, `{{H4438}}`), which often emphasizes the abstract concept of sovereignty, מְלוּכָה grounds the idea of kingship in its earthly manifestations. Theologically, מְלוּכָה underscores the divine institution of human kingship in Israel, God's ultimate sovereignty over all earthly מְלוּכָה, and the profound significance of the Davidic covenant which promised an eternal מְלוּכָה that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messianic King and His everlasting kingdom.
TRV