מַלְכִּישׁוּעַ
Malkishua, an Israelite
Definition
Malkishua is a proper name meaning 'king of wealth' or 'king of salvation,' belonging to one of King Saul's sons. He is listed among Saul's children in 1 Samuel 14:49 and 1 Chronicles 8:33, 9:39. His primary biblical significance is his death alongside his father and brothers, Jonathan and Abinadab, in the battle against the Philistines at Mount Gilboa, as recorded in 1 Samuel 31:2 and 1 Chronicles 10:2. The name itself reflects the royal lineage and the hopes placed in the family of Israel's first king.
Biblical Usage
The name Malkishua is used exclusively in genealogical and historical death narratives. It appears in the list of Saul's sons in 1 Samuel 14:49 and 1 Chronicles 8:33, 9:39. Its most significant usage is in the accounts of the tragic battle of Mount Gilboa, where his death is recorded alongside his father and brothers in 1 Samuel 31:2 and 1 Chronicles 10:2. This pattern underscores his identity as a member of Saul's doomed royal house.
Etymology
The name Malkishua (מַלְכִּישׁוּעַ) is a compound of two Hebrew elements: 'melek' (H4428), meaning 'king,' and 'shua' (H7769), which can mean 'cry for help' or 'wealth.' Thus, the name is commonly interpreted as 'king of wealth' or 'king of salvation/deliverance.' It is a theophoric name, implicitly acknowledging God as the source of royal prosperity or rescue.
Semantic Range
Malkishua's story contributes to the theological theme of divine judgment on Saul's dynasty for disobedience (1 Samuel 15:23). His death at Gilboa marks the tragic end of Saul's line, paving the way for David's kingship as established by God. Understanding his name—'king of salvation'—creates a poignant contrast with his fate, highlighting that true deliverance and kingship were not found in Saul's house but in God's chosen successor, David, a forerunner to the Messiah.
In ancient Israel, names often carried significant meaning and hopes. Naming a son 'king of wealth/salvation' within the royal family expressed aspirations for prosperity, power, and divine favor for the dynasty. His recorded death in battle, a common fate for warriors and princes, also reflects the cultural importance of familial and national honor, as the demise of the king's sons was a catastrophic blow to the nation's stability and prestige.
Yonatan (H3083) — Malkishua's brother, whose name means 'Yahweh has given.' Avinadav (H41) — Another brother, meaning 'my father is noble.'
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 →