melekh

Melekh is a Hebrew term meaning “king” and is used as the title for rulers in ancient Israel and Judah, as well as in religious and modern contexts. The word comes from the Semitic root m-l-k, with related forms in other languages such as Akkadian malāk and Arabic malik. In Hebrew, the plural is melakhim and the definite form is ha-melekh.

In the Hebrew Bible, melekh is used to designate human kings of Israel and Judah, such as Saul, David, and Solomon. It is also employed as a divine epithet in worship and poetry, where God is described as the Melech or Melech HaOlam, “the King of the World.”

In liturgy and prayer, the phrase Melech HaOlam appears in blessings and supplications addressing God as sovereign ruler. The term thus serves both a historical-political function in biblical narratives and a theological function in Jewish worship.

Modern usage and transliteration vary little in meaning but reflect pronunciation. In modern Hebrew, melekh remains the standard word for “king,” appearing in historical writing, journalism, and literature. Transliteration also yields forms such as melek or melekh, depending on the system and tradition.

Overall, melekh functions as a foundational term for monarchy in Hebrew, with enduring use in religious language and continued presence in historical and cultural texts.