מְלֶכֶת
a queen
Definition
The Hebrew noun מְלֶכֶת (mᵉleketh) specifically denotes a 'queen,' a female sovereign or royal consort. In the biblical text, it is used exclusively in the context of the 'queen of heaven,' a title for a pagan goddess (likely Ishtar or Asherah) worshipped by some Israelites and Judeans, particularly women, in the late pre-exilic and exilic periods. This specific usage is found only in the book of Jeremiah, where the prophet condemns the practice of offering cakes and libations to this deity (Jeremiah 7:18, 44:17-19, 25). The term does not refer to a human Israelite queen in its biblical occurrences.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively in the book of Jeremiah, appearing five times. Its usage is highly specific and polemical, describing the object of illicit idolatrous worship. The context is always the people's (especially the women's) defiant practice of making offerings to the 'queen of heaven,' which Jeremiah identifies as a primary cause of God's judgment and the coming exile. For example, in Jeremiah 44:17-19, the people in Egypt defiantly tell Jeremiah they will continue to worship her because they prospered when they did so.
Etymology
מְלֶכֶת is a feminine noun derived from the root מָלַךְ (mālak, H4427), meaning 'to reign' or 'to be king.' The '-eth' ending is a standard feminine suffix. Thus, the word literally means 'female ruler' or 'one who reigns.' It is the feminine counterpart to the common noun מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428), 'king.'
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is the specific title for a major rival deity in the spiritual battle for Israel's worship. Understanding this Hebrew term highlights the severity of syncretism—mixing worship of Yahweh with pagan practices. Jeremiah's use of מְלֶכֶת underscores that idolatry is not just a ritual error but a direct betrayal of the covenant, replacing the sole sovereignty of God with a counterfeit 'queen.' It enriches the reading of Jeremiah by clarifying the precise nature of the apostasy he condemns.
The 'queen of heaven' was a well-known ancient Near Eastern fertility goddess, associated with Astarte, Ishtar, or Asherah in different cultures. Her worship involved making small cake offerings (likely shaped like stars) and pouring out drink offerings, practices mentioned in Jeremiah 7:18. This was a popular domestic and women-led cult, contrasting with the official state worship of Yahweh in the temple. The people saw her as a provider of prosperity and security, a direct challenge to trusting Yahweh for these blessings.
גְּבִירָה (gᵉbîrâ, H1377) — A more common term for 'queen' or 'lady,' usually referring to a human queen mother or consort (e.g., 1 Kings 15:13).
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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