from נָתַן and מֶלֶךְ; given of (the) king; Nethan-Melek, an Israelite; Nathanmelech.
Transliteration:Nᵉthan-Melek
Pronunciation:neth-an' meh'-lek
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew anthroponym `{{H5419}}` Nᵉthan-Melek (נְתַן־מֶלֶךְ) is a compound personal name. Its meaning is directly derived from its constituent elements: `{{H5414}}` נָתַן (nathan), a verb meaning "to give, put, set," and `{{H4428}}` מֶלֶךְ (melek), meaning "king." Thus, the name literally translates to "given of the king" or "the king has given." This etymology suggests either a person who was a gift *from* the king, or perhaps someone whose birth or appointment was seen as a bestowal *by* the king's authority or favor. In the context of ancient Near Eastern names, such appellations often reflected the circumstances of one's birth, a parent's devotion, or a significant event related to a ruler.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name `{{H5419}}` Nᵉthan-Melek appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in the book of Kings:
* [[2 Kings 23:11]]: "And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nethan-Melech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire."
This verse describes a specific act of King Josiah's extensive religious reforms. Nethan-Melek is identified as a "chamberlain" (`{{H5631}}` סָרִיס, saris), an official position in the royal court, often denoting a eunuch or a high-ranking administrative officer. His chamber was located "at the entering in of the house of the LORD," indicating a proximity to the temple precincts, and specifically where horses dedicated to the sun god were kept. These horses, along with chariots, were instruments of sun worship, an idolatrous practice that had become deeply entrenched in Judah, even sanctioned by previous kings. Josiah's act of removing and destroying these objects, specifically mentioning Nethan-Melek's chamber, implies that this official was either directly involved in, or at least provided facilities for, these pagan rituals. His high office suggests the pervasive nature of syncretistic worship within the royal and religious establishments of Judah prior to Josiah's reforms.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H5414}}` נָתַן (nathan)**: The root verb "to give" is foundational to many biblical names (e.g., Nathan, Jonathan, Elnathan) and concepts, signifying divine or human bestowal, appointment, or surrender. In `{{H5419}}` Nᵉthan-Melek, it highlights the idea of a gift or an entrusted person.
* **`{{H4428}}` מֶלֶךְ (melek)**: The noun "king" is central to understanding the political and theological landscape of ancient Israel. It refers to both earthly monarchs and, supremely, to Yahweh as the divine King. The presence of "king" in Nethan-Melek's name underscores his connection to royal authority.
* **`{{H5631}}` סָרִיס (saris)**: This term, "chamberlain" or "eunuch," describes Nethan-Melek's official capacity. A saris held a position of trust and often significant administrative power within the royal household, sometimes overseeing royal treasuries or harems.
* **Idolatry and Sun Worship**: The context of Nethan-Melek's appearance is directly tied to the cult of the sun, represented by horses and chariots dedicated to it. This form of idolatry was a significant deviation from the covenant with Yahweh and a target of Josiah's zealous reforms, as seen throughout [[2 Kings 23]].
* **Josiah's Reforms**: Nethan-Melek's brief mention is part of the larger narrative of King Josiah's comprehensive purging of idolatry from Judah and his efforts to restore the pure worship of Yahweh, as mandated by the rediscovered Book of the Law.
### Theological Significance
The single mention of `{{H5419}}` Nᵉthan-Melek carries subtle but important theological weight within the narrative of Judah's spiritual decline and Josiah's reformation.
1. **Irony of the Name**: The name "given of the king" might have originally signified royal favor or a special status bestowed by an earthly monarch. However, in the context of [[2 Kings 23:11]], this "gift" or association with the human king is linked to practices that oppose the divine King, Yahweh. The horses and chariots were "given to the sun" by previous kings, highlighting a misplaced devotion that Josiah, acting on behalf of the true King, sought to dismantle.
2. **Pervasiveness of Idolatry**: Nethan-Melek's high office as chamberlain and the location of his chamber near the temple, housing idolatrous objects, dramatically illustrate how deeply entrenched syncretistic worship had become within the highest echelons of Judahite society and even within the sacred precincts. No segment of the population, not even the royal court, was immune from the spiritual corruption.
3. **Divine Judgment and Purification**: Nethan-Melek serves as a minor, yet illustrative, figure in the larger unfolding of God's judgment against Judah's apostasy. The destruction of the sun-worship implements associated with his chamber signifies the comprehensive nature of God's purification and the necessity of rooting out all forms of idolatry from the land and from the heart of the nation. His presence underscores the severity of the spiritual disease that necessitated Josiah's drastic measures.
### Summary
`{{H5419}}` Nᵉthan-Melek is a Hebrew personal name meaning "given of the king," composed of `{{H5414}}` נָתַן (to give) and `{{H4428}}` מֶלֶךְ (king). He is mentioned only once in the Bible, in [[2 Kings 23:11]], where he is identified as a "chamberlain" (`{{H5631}}` סָרִיס) during King Josiah's reign. His chamber, located near the temple, housed horses and chariots dedicated to the sun god, which King Josiah subsequently destroyed as part of his sweeping religious reforms. The name's meaning presents a subtle irony when contrasted with his association with idolatrous practices. Nethan-Melek's brief appearance highlights the pervasive nature of syncretistic worship within the Judahite monarchy and the necessity of Josiah's divinely-inspired efforts to purify the land and restore the exclusive worship of Yahweh.
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