English · KJV
H4450

מִלֲלַי

Milălay /mee-lal-ah'-ee/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom מָלַל
Meaningtalkative; Milalai, an Israelite
KJV usageMilalai.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of Milălay — 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 Hebrew word Milălay, represented by H4450, is a proper name meaning talkative. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible, where it is used to identify a specific Israelite.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single appearance of H4450 is found in Nehemiah 12:36. In this verse, Milălay is named as one of the "brethren" H251 who participated in a procession with "the musical H7892 instruments H3627 of David." He is listed alongside several other men, including Shemaiah, Azarael, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, Judah, and Hanani, placing him within a group of Levites or priests involved in a significant worship ceremony in post-exilic Jerusalem.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related individuals and terms appear alongside Milalai in this passage, providing context for his role:

  • H1562 Gilălay (dungy): This name identifies another Israelite who is listed immediately after Milalai in the same procession, indicating a close association within the group Nehemiah 12:36.
  • H5832 ʻĂzarʼêl (God has helped): This individual is also named as one of the brethren in the musical group. His name's meaning reflects a common theme of reliance on divine aid during the restoration period Nehemiah 12:36.
  • H251 ʼâch (brother): This term defines the relationship of the group Milalai was a part of, describing them as kindred with a shared purpose in the ceremony Nehemiah 12:36.
  • H3627 kᵉlîy (instrument): This word describes the items carried by the group, specifically identifying them as musical instruments intended for worship Nehemiah 12:36.

Theological Significance

The narrative significance of H4450 is tied directly to the event in which he is mentioned.

  • Post-Exilic Restoration: Milalai's inclusion in the list highlights the organized effort to restore formal worship practices in Jerusalem after the return from exile.
  • Communal Worship: His presence as one of the "brethren" H251 carrying "musical instruments" H3627 underscores the importance of communal praise and the role of Levites in leading the people in celebration and dedication.
  • Historical Record: The specific naming of individuals like Milalai, though they appear only once, serves to document the personal and familial contributions to the monumental task of rebuilding the nation's spiritual life.

Summary

In summary, H4450 Milălay is the name of an Israelite known exclusively for his participation in a musical procession during the time of Nehemiah. While a minor figure, his mention is a testament to the detailed record-keeping of the era and illustrates how the grand narrative of Israel's restoration was composed of the specific contributions of many named individuals.

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 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — 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.

  • מִלֲלַי

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.

H251 אָח a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance ( H7892 שִׁיר or feminine שִׁירָה; from שִׁיר; a song; abstractly, singing; musical(-ick), [idiom] sing(-er, -ing), song. H3627 כְּלִי from כָּלָה; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon); armour(-bearer) H1562 גִּלֲלַי from גֵּלֶל; dungy; Gilalai, an Israelite; Gilalai. H5832 עֲזַרְאֵל from עָזַר and אֵל; God has helped; Azarel, the name of five Israelites; Azarael, Azareel.

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

1 verse, all in Nehemiah — 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.