from an unused root meaning to spread out; a wardrobe (i.e. room where clothing is spread); vestry.
Transliteration:meltâchâh
Pronunciation:mel-taw-khaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term *meltâchâh* (`{{H4458}}`) is a feminine noun derived from an unused root meaning "to spread out." This etymological root suggests a space where items, specifically garments, are laid out, arranged, or stored neatly. The primary definitions provided are "a wardrobe" or "a room where clothing is spread," and by extension, a "vestry." This implies a dedicated space for the storage, maintenance, and perhaps distribution of apparel, particularly when dealing with a large or specialized collection. The nuance of "spreading out" differentiates it from a mere closet, suggesting a more expansive and organized facility.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word *meltâchâh* (`{{H4458}}`) appears only once in the entire Hebrew Bible, making its sole context profoundly important for understanding its meaning and significance.
* **[[2 Kings 10:22]]**: "And he said to him who was over the wardrobe, 'Bring out vestments for all the worshippers of Baal.' And he brought out vestments for them."
In this passage, Jehu, having been anointed king to execute divine judgment upon the house of Ahab and Baal worship, orchestrates a cunning trap. He gathers all the worshippers of Baal under the pretense of a great sacrifice. To ensure their identification and separation from true Yahweh worshippers, he commands the "keeper of the wardrobe" (מֶלְתָּחָה) to distribute distinctive vestments to them. This *meltâchâh* was clearly a significant repository, containing enough specific cultic garments for a large assembly of Baal devotees. Its existence underscores the organized and established nature of Baal worship in Israel at that time, possessing its own dedicated facilities for ritual accoutrements. The garments themselves would have served as a visible sign of allegiance to Baal, making the "wardrobe" a crucial element in the idolatrous cult's infrastructure. Jehu's command transforms this facility, intended for the propagation of false worship, into an unwitting instrument for its destruction.
### Related Words & Concepts
While *meltâchâh* (`{{H4458}}`) is unique in its specific application, it relates to broader concepts and terms:
* **Clothing and Garments:** General terms for clothing such as *beged* (`{{H899}}`, garment, clothing) or *lebush* (`{{H3830}}`, clothing, apparel) are related in subject matter. The *meltâchâh* is the place where such items are kept.
* **Storage and Treasury:** Words like *otsar* (`{{H214}}`, treasury, storehouse) denote places of storage for various goods, but *meltâchâh* is specifically for garments, highlighting its specialized function.
* **Cultic Vestments:** The concept of specialized garments for religious service is prominent in both Israelite and pagan worship. The priestly garments prescribed for the Aaronic priesthood (e.g., in Exodus 28) serve a holy purpose in the worship of Yahweh, standing in stark contrast to the vestments of Baal worshippers stored in the *meltâchâh*. This contrast emphasizes the distinction between true and false worship.
* **The Root "Spread Out":** While the root is unused, the idea of "spreading out" can be seen in words like *shatach* (`{{H7677}}`, to spread out, prostrate), though the direct semantic connection is limited beyond the etymological base.
### Theological Significance
The singular appearance of *meltâchâh* (`{{H4458}}`) in [[2 Kings 10:22]] imbues it with profound theological significance, primarily in relation to idolatry and divine judgment:
* **The Apparatus of Idolatry:** The *meltâchâh* serves as a stark reminder of the organized, institutionalized nature of Baal worship in ancient Israel. It was not merely an individual practice but a cult with dedicated spaces, personnel, and specific ritual garments. This highlights the pervasive challenge idolatry posed to Israel's covenant fidelity.
* **Divine Judgment and Deception:** In the narrative, the *meltâchâh* becomes a key component in Jehu's divinely orchestrated deception. The very garments that identified the Baal worshippers as adherents of a false god become the means by which they are gathered for judgment. God's judgment against idolatry is precise and comprehensive, even utilizing the very tools of the false religion against its practitioners.
* **Contrast with True Worship:** Implicitly, the *meltâchâh* for Baal's vestments stands in stark contrast to the sacred storage and use of garments for the worship of Yahweh in the Tabernacle and Temple. While both involved specialized apparel, one served a demonic cult leading to destruction, the other served the one true God, leading to holiness and life. This highlights the fundamental difference between the outward show of false religion and the genuine, sanctified worship of the Lord.
### Summary
The Hebrew term *meltâchâh* (`{{H4458}}`) denotes a "wardrobe" or "vestry," a dedicated room for the storage and distribution of garments, stemming from an unused root implying the act of "spreading out." Its sole biblical occurrence in [[2 Kings 10:22]] is highly significant, positioning it as a tangible element within the infrastructure of Baal worship. In this context, the *meltâchâh* is the repository for the cultic vestments of Baal worshippers, which Jehu strategically employs as a means to gather and identify them for the purpose of divine judgment. Theologically, the *meltâchâh* stands as a symbol of the organized and pervasive nature of idolatry in ancient Israel, serving as a tool in God's precise and comprehensive judgment against false worship. It implicitly contrasts the ritualistic outward display of a condemned cult with the sacred and true worship of Yahweh.