עֲנַמֶּלֶךְ
Anammelek, an Assyrian deity
Definition
Anammelek is the name of an Assyrian deity worshipped by the people of Sepharvaim, who were resettled in Samaria after the northern kingdom of Israel's exile (2 Kings 17:31). The name likely means 'Anu is king,' combining the name of the Mesopotamian sky god Anu with the Semitic word for 'king' (melek). This deity is mentioned alongside Adrammelek, and both were associated with the ritual sacrifice of children by fire, a practice abhorrent to the God of Israel. The biblical text presents Anammelek as a false god, part of the idolatrous syncretism that led to divine judgment.
Biblical Usage
The word 'Anammelek' appears only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Kings 17:31. It is used in a historical context listing the foreign gods worshipped by the various peoples the king of Assyria brought to repopulate the cities of Samaria. The usage is purely descriptive, naming the deity as part of a catalog of idolatrous practices that defiled the land.
Etymology
The name is of foreign (Assyrian/Akkadian) origin. It is a compound name, likely from 'Anu' (the chief sky god in the Mesopotamian pantheon) and the West Semitic word 'melek' (king). Thus, 'Anammelek' means 'Anu is king.' This reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of forming theophoric names that declare a deity's sovereignty.
Semantic Range
Anammelek represents the profound danger of syncretism—mixing the worship of Yahweh with foreign gods. Its mention in 2 Kings 17 underscores the core biblical theme that idolatry and child sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21, Deuteronomy 12:31) are ultimate betrayals of the covenant, directly leading to national exile. Understanding this foreign name highlights the stark contrast between the holy God of Israel and the cruel deities of the nations, emphasizing God's righteous judgment against such practices.
In its original Assyrian context, Anammelek was likely a major deity, possibly a localized or specific aspect of the god Anu. The practice of child sacrifice, while repugnant to Israelite law, was a known, though extreme, form of votive offering in some ancient Near Eastern cultures, intended to secure favor or appease gods in crises. The biblical author mentions it to shock the reader and condemn the depth of pagan corruption adopted by the settlers.
Adrammelek (H152, Strong's) — Another Assyrian deity mentioned in the same verse (2 Kings 17:31), also associated with child sacrifice. Melek (H4428, Strong's) — The common Hebrew word for 'king'; forms the second element of the name Anammelek.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →