Bible Word Study
מַהְלֵךְ
mahlêk · a walking (plural collectively), i.e. access
מַהְלֵךְ
a walking (plural collectively), i.e. access
Definition
The noun מַהְלֵךְ (mahlêk) refers to a place or means of walking, specifically a walkway or access. It is a collective noun, meaning it can refer to a path or passageway as a whole. In its single biblical occurrence in Zechariah 3:7, it describes the privileged access or right to move among the divine attendants, granted to the high priest Joshua. The word conveys the idea of authorized movement within a sacred or restricted space.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Zechariah 3:7. It appears in a prophetic vision where God promises the high priest Joshua that if he is faithful, he will be given 'a place to walk' (KJV) or 'the right of access' among the angelic beings standing by. The context is one of restored priestly privilege and authority in the heavenly council.
Etymology
Derived from the common Hebrew root הָלַךְ (hālak, H1980), meaning 'to walk, go, or come.' מַהְלֵךְ is a noun form (a *maqtal* pattern) that indicates the place or means associated with the action of the root. It is related to other words for paths or journeys, such as הֲלִיכָה (halîkâ, H1979), meaning 'a walking, journey, or behavior.'
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it symbolizes restored fellowship and priestly mediation. In Zechariah 3, the promise of 'access' (מַהְלֵךְ) is contingent upon obedience and represents a reinstatement to divine service after the exile. It prefigures the New Testament concept of believers having confident access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 2:18). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Zechariah by highlighting the profound restoration of relationship between God and his chosen representative. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel, access to a king or deity was a carefully regulated privilege. The 'place to walk' among divine attendants would be understood as a high honor, granting the priest a role in the heavenly court. This contrasts with a modern, casual understanding of walking, emphasizing instead a formal, authorized position. דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a general term for way, road, or journey. נְתִיבָה (nᵊtîbâ, H5410) — a path or trodden way, often with a moral connotation. מַסְלוּל (maslûl, H4546) — a highway or raised way.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]