The Hebrew word Melek, represented by H4429, is defined as king and is used as the name of two Israelites. It is the same as the word melek H4428, and can appear as Hammelech when the article is included. It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible.
In the biblical narrative, H4429 is used exclusively as a proper name. It appears in the genealogical lists of 1 Chronicles as Melech, one of the sons of Micah (1 Chronicles 8:35, 1 Chronicles 9:41). It is also used in the form Hammelech, identifying the father of Jerahmeel. This Jerahmeel was an official who was commanded by the king to arrest the prophet Jeremiah and his scribe, Baruch Jeremiah 36:26.
Several related words provide context for the meaning and use of H4429:
- H4428 melek (a king; king, royal): This is the base word from which H4429 is derived. It is used extensively to refer to earthly rulers and, significantly, to the LORD as the King over all the earth Zechariah 14:9.
- H6680 tsâvâh ((give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment)): This verb for "command" is central to the account involving Hammelech, where the king commanded his officers to seize the prophet Jeremiah Jeremiah 36:26.
- H8018 Shelemyâh (Shelemiah): The name of an Israelite who was one of the men, along with Jerahmeel son of Hammelech, who received the king's command to take Baruch and Jeremiah Jeremiah 36:26.
- H8304 Sᵉrâyâh (Seraiah): The name of another official commanded by the king to participate in the arrest of the prophet and his scribe Jeremiah 36:26.
While H4429 is a proper name, its root meaning of "king" ties into significant theological themes.
- Contrast of Kingship: The name Melech appears in a context that directly contrasts the authority of an earthly king with the power of God. The king H4428 gave a command involving the son of Hammelech H4429 to seize God's prophet, but the narrative states that "the LORD hid them" Jeremiah 36:26.
- Divine Sovereignty: The related word melek H4428 is foundational to understanding God's authority. Scripture explicitly refers to the LORD as the King of Israel Isaiah 44:6, whose reign is absolute and eternal.
- Human Authority: The role of the human king H4428 is consistently portrayed in relation to God. The dossier shows King Jehoshaphat being told a battle belongs to God, not to him or his great multitude 2 Chronicles 20:15, underscoring that earthly power is subordinate to divine will.
In summary, H4429 Melech is a proper name derived from the Hebrew word for king. Its limited biblical appearances place it within genealogical records and, most notably, in an event where an earthly king's authority is challenged by God's protection of His prophets Jeremiah 36:26. While not a major theological term itself, its meaning connects it directly to the much larger biblical theme of kingship, highlighting the distinction between the fallible commands of human rulers and the ultimate sovereignty of the LORD, the King over all the earth Zechariah 14:9.
TRV