Malcham
מַלְכָּם/MAL-kam/
“Their king”
Summary
Malcham was a Benjamite, son of Shaharaim, and the name is also used as an alternative spelling for the Ammonite idol Milcom or Molech.
☩The Person
Malcham was one of seven sons born to Shaharaim the Benjamite by his wife Hodesh, after he had sent away his previous wives Hushim and Baara. These sons were 'heads of fathers' houses' among the Benjamites.
Key verses:1 Chronicles 8:9
☩The Idol
The word 'Malcham' in Zephaniah is better translated 'their king' and refers to the Ammonite deity Milcom (or Molech), whose worship had infiltrated Judah. The prophet condemned those who 'swear by the LORD, and swear by Malcham'—attempting to worship both Jehovah and the pagan god simultaneously.
Key verses:Zephaniah 1:5Jeremiah 49:1-3
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Malcham," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Malcham," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).