Hammelech
הַמֶּלֶךְ/ham-EL-ek/
“The king”
Summary
Hammelech appears in Jeremiah as the father of Jerahmeel and Malchiah, though the term may simply mean "the king" rather than being a proper name.
☩Name or Title
The Hebrew word "Hammelech" is simply melek (king) with the definite article prefixed, meaning "the king." The King James Version treats it as a proper name in Jeremiah 36:26 and 38:6, identifying a man named Hammelech as father of Jerahmeel and Malchiah. However, many scholars and the Revised Version translate it as "the king's son," indicating that Jerahmeel and Malchiah were princes. Since Jehoiakim at this time had no grown-up sons (Jeconiah being only eleven), some argue Hammelech must be a proper name rather than a designation of royal descent.
Key verses:Jeremiah 36:26Jeremiah 38:6
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hammelech," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Hammelech," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Hammelech," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Hammelech," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).