Lexical Summary Millo: Millo Original Word: מִלּוֹא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Millo Or mil-loe (2 Kings 12:20) {mil-lo'}; from male'; a rampart (as filled in), i.e. The citadel -- Millo. See also Beyth Millow'. see HEBREW male' see HEBREW Beyth Millow' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom male Definition a place near Shechem, also a citadel in Jer. NASB Translation Millo (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs מִלּוֺא proper name, of a location (Thes ' fill ' of earth, earthwork, but see GFMJudges 9:6); **SchwZMG lii (1898), 137 compare Assyrian mulu = earthwork, mound, terrace, Dl411 M-A544. — 1 בֵּית מִלּוֺא Judges 9:6 ("" בַּעֲלֵי שְׁכֶם) so Judges 9:20; Judges 9:20; near Shechem, site unknown; ᵐ5 οἶκος Βηθμααλων. 2 citadel in Jerusalem הַמִּלּוֺא 2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Kings 9:15,24; 1 Kings 11:27; 1 Chronicles 11:8; 2Chronicles 32:5. ᵐ5 usually ἡ ἄκρα (A 1 Kings 9:15,24 also Μελω). 3 בֵּית מִלֹּא 2 Kings 12:21 (+ הַיֹּרֵד סִלָּא) dubious; = 2 ? ᵐ5 οἴκῳ Μααλω. Topical Lexicon Overview Millo (Strong’s Hebrew 4407, מִלּוֹא) designates a fortified earth-and-stone structure—literally a “filling” or terrace—attached to key Israelite cities, most notably Shechem and Jerusalem. Across ten Old Testament occurrences, the term is linked with covenant leadership, royal building programs, and divine protection or judgment. Occurrences in Scripture • Judges 9:6, 20 (twice): “all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo” enthrone Abimelech; Jotham’s curse foretells mutual destruction. Historical and Geographical Context 1. Shechem’s Beth-Millo lay adjacent to the city’s ancient sacred oak. Its mention alongside “the leaders of Shechem” suggests either a citadel housing a ruling class or a defensive platform controlling the acropolis. Architectural Characteristics • Constructed by “filling” stepped terraces with rubble and earth, then capping them with stone courses. Role in the Development of Jerusalem David’s first act after capturing Zion was to secure the Millo, uniting political power with divine promise (2 Samuel 5:9). Solomon broadened it, funding the work through conscripted labor (1 Kings 9:15). This effort both beautified the city and removed “the gap in the wall of the City of David his father” (1 Kings 11:27), an engineering project so significant that Jeroboam’s oversight of it became the catalyst for his rise and eventual revolt. Hezekiah later “reinforced the supporting terraces” (2 Chronicles 32:5) while preparing for Assyrian invasion, demonstrating ongoing reliance on this structure for national security. Beth Millo of Shechem Abimelech’s coronation at Beth-Millo (Judges 9:6) illustrates how civic elites exploited a strategic stronghold for illegitimate rule. Jotham’s parable and curse (Judges 9:20) highlight Millo as a focal point for moral accountability: the very alliance forged there became the stage for divine retribution when fire and sword consumed both king and supporters. Millo and the Monarchs • David: Secures covenant kingdom by integrating Millo into Jerusalem’s defenses. Prophetic and Spiritual Implications Millo typifies human effort rightly directed when aligned with God’s purposes (David, Hezekiah) and tragically misused when ambition supplants covenant faithfulness (Abimelech, Solomon’s latter years). The recurring verb “build” echoes Genesis 11’s tower narrative and anticipates Jesus’ teaching on wise foundations (Matthew 7:24-27), urging believers to fortify life and ministry on obedience rather than mere infrastructure. Applications for Faith and Ministry 1. Stewardship: Strategic planning and skilled labor can advance God’s kingdom, yet must remain subordinate to His commands. Key References “David…built up the city all around from the Millo inward” (2 Samuel 5:9). “Solomon…built the supporting terraces and repaired the gap in the wall of the City of David his father” (1 Kings 11:27). “Then his servants conspired against him and killed Joash at Beth-millo” (2 Kings 12:20). “Hezekiah…reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David” (2 Chronicles 32:5). Forms and Transliterations הַמִּלּ֔וֹא הַמִּלּ֖וֹא הַמִּלּֽוֹא׃ המלוא המלוא׃ מִלֹּ֖א מִלּ֑וֹא מִלּ֔וֹא מלא מלוא ham·mil·lō·w hammilLo hammillōw mil·lō mil·lō·w milLo millō millōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 9:6 HEB: וְכָל־ בֵּ֣ית מִלּ֔וֹא וַיֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ וַיַּמְלִ֥יכוּ KJV: and all the house of Millo, and went, INT: and all the house Millo went and made Judges 9:20 Judges 9:20 2 Samuel 5:9 1 Kings 9:15 1 Kings 9:24 1 Kings 11:27 2 Kings 12:20 1 Chronicles 11:8 2 Chronicles 32:5 10 Occurrences |
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