melech

Melech (Hebrew: מֶלֶךְ) is the Hebrew word for "king." In English transliteration it is often written as melekh or melek, with the common modern spelling melekh. The feminine form for queen is malka. The plural of melech is melekim or malakhim, depending on transliteration, and the root conveys sovereignty or rule.

Etymology and cognates: Melech comes from the Northwest Semitic root mlk, associated with ruling or sovereignty. Related terms appear in other Semitic languages, such as Akkadian malāk (“to rule”) and Arabic malik or malika for king and queen, respectively. These cognates reflect a shared linguistic heritage across ancient Near Eastern languages.

Usage in Hebrew Bible: In the Hebrew Bible, melekh is used primarily as a title for rulers—kings of Israel, Judah, and other nations. It denotes temporal authority rather than a personal name, though the term can appear in phrases naming a ruler, such as “melech Yisra’el” (the king of Israel). The word appears frequently in prophetic and historical books and forms part of religious expressions like “Melekh Olam” (the King of the World) in liturgy.

Modern usage and cultural context: In modern Hebrew, melekh remains the standard term for a king and is used in historical, literary, and religious contexts. In liturgy, phrases such as “Melekh Olam” appear in prayers and blessings. The word also appears as a given name in some Jewish and other communities, where it may function as a masculine name or as part of biblical or honorific naming traditions.

See also: Melek, Malka, Malik, Melekh Ha-olam.