Word Study for H4449 (מְלַל) | Strong's Concordance

mᵉlal /mel-al'/ Ask about this word

Root(Aramaic) corresponding to מָלַל

Meaningto speak

KJV usagesay, speak(-ing).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of mᵉlal — 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 mᵉlal, represented by H4449, is a specific term for to speak; say, speak(-ing). It appears only 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible, with all occurrences found in the book of Daniel. Its usage is concentrated in contexts of significant prophetic declarations and direct address to authority.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H4449 is notably used to characterize the speech of the prophetic "little horn" in Daniel's vision. This figure is described as having "a mouth speaking great things" Daniel 7:8 and is later said to speak "very great things" Daniel 7:20. This speech is further defined as antagonistic, as the horn "shall speak great words against the most High" Daniel 7:25. In a contrasting use, the word is also employed when Daniel said respectfully to the king, "O king, live for ever" Daniel 6:21.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related Aramaic words provide a fuller context for the concept of speech and greatness in these passages:

H4406 millâh: This means a word, command, discourse, or subject. It is used to describe the content of what is spoken, such as the "great words" that the horn spake (Daniel 7:11, Daniel 7:25).
H7032 qâl: Meaning a voice or sound, this term is directly linked to H4449 in the description of the judgment of the beast, which occurs because of the "voice of the great words which the horn spake" Daniel 7:11.
H7260 rabrab: This term for huge or great is frequently paired with H4449 to describe the nature of what is spoken, specifically the "great things" coming from the mouth of the horn Daniel 7:8.

Theological Significance

The significance of H4449 is found in its specific, high-stakes applications within the book of Daniel.

Arrogant and Blasphemous Speech: The word is primarily used to define the character of an antagonistic power. The "little horn" is identified by its mouth that speaks great things, a clear sign of its pride and rebellion against God (Daniel 7:8, Daniel 7:25).
Speech as a Catalyst for Judgment: The very act of speaking becomes the basis for divine judgment. The narrative states that the beast is slain and destroyed specifically because of the "voice of the great words which the horn spake" Daniel 7:11.
A Contrast in Righteous Address: The use of H4449 by Daniel himself offers a sharp contrast. While the horn speaks in arrogance, Daniel speaks with respect and propriety to King Darius, even from the lions' den Daniel 6:21.

Summary

In summary, H4449 is a focused verb whose meaning is amplified by its context. Though used infrequently, it carries immense weight within Daniel's prophecies. It highlights how the act of speaking can be a defining characteristic, distinguishing the blasphemous pride of earthly powers from the respectful address of the faithful. Its use underscores that words have consequences, capable of invoking divine judgment.

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 verb across 5 occurrences, inflected in 4 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.

מְמַלִּל
יְמַלִּל
מְמַלֱּלָה
מַלִּל

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

5 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.