מַלְכִּיאֵל
Malkiel, an Israelite
Definition
Malkiel is a proper name meaning 'king of God' or 'God is my king,' belonging to a descendant of Asher in the Israelite genealogies. He is identified as a son of Beriah and grandson of Asher (Genesis 46:17, Numbers 26:45). The name appears exclusively in genealogical lists, signifying his place within the tribal lineage and inheritance. No narrative actions or distinct meanings are associated with the individual beyond this familial role.
Biblical Usage
The name Malkiel is used only in three Old Testament genealogical passages: Genesis 46:17 (listing Jacob's family who went to Egypt), Numbers 26:45 (the census of the Israelites in the wilderness), and 1 Chronicles 7:31 (the genealogy of the tribe of Asher). Its usage is strictly for establishing lineage and tribal identity within the nation of Israel, with no narrative or descriptive context provided.
Etymology
The name is a compound of two Hebrew elements: 'melekh' (H4428), meaning 'king,' and 'El' (H410), one of the primary names for God. It is a theophoric name, literally translating to 'king of God' or 'my king is God,' expressing a declaration of God's sovereignty. Similar name constructions include 'Elimelech' (my God is king) and 'Malchijah' (Yahweh is king).
Semantic Range
As a theophoric name meaning 'king of God,' Malkiel embodies a core Israelite confession of Yahweh's kingship. While the individual is not prominent, the name itself serves as a theological marker within a genealogy, reminding readers that even in lists of names, the identity of God's people is rooted in His sovereign rule. It enriches reading by highlighting how personal names in Scripture often function as declarations of faith.
In ancient Israelite culture, names carried significant meaning and often reflected parental hopes or theological convictions. A name like Malkiel, affirming God as king, placed the individual within a community defined by covenant relationship with Yahweh. Its appearance solely in genealogies underscores the importance of lineage, tribal identity, and the inheritance of promises within the covenant people.
Elimelech (ʼĔlîmeleḵ, H458) — Means 'my God is king'; a different order of the same core elements. Malchijah (Malkîyâh, H4441) — Means 'Yahweh is king'; uses the divine name Yahweh instead of El.
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.
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