Lexical Summary Malkiel: Malchiel Original Word: מַלְכִּיאֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Malchiel From melek and 'el; king of (i.e. Appointed by) God; Malkiel, an Israelite -- Malchiel. see HEBREW melek see HEBREW 'el NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom melek and el Definition "my king is El," an Asherite NASB Translation Malchiel (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַלְכִּיאֵל proper name, masculine son of Beriah (of Asher) (my king is El; compare Tel Amarna Milkili WklTel Am. 39 *, see JastrJBL 1892, 120; 1893, 61f.; compare further, GrayProp. N. 118 f., 206, see also Phoenician proper name מלכבעל, Palmyrene proper name מלכבל VogPalm. 3, 4; 140 and Biblical Hebrew אֱלִימֶלֶךְ); — Genesis 46:17; Numbers 26:45; 1 Chronicles 7:31. ᵐ5 Μελχιηλ. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences• Genesis 46:17 – “The sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem.” Malkiel’s name appears here in the ancient Hebrew text of Genesis 46:17 instead of “Shillem” in some textual traditions, identifying him among the direct descendants of Naphtali who migrated to Egypt with Jacob. Genealogical Significance In Genesis and Numbers, Malkiel is identified as a son of Naphtali, Jacob’s sixth son by Bilhah. His descendants, the Malkielites, form one of the foundational families of the tribe. Genealogies in Chronicles later reuse the name, suggesting either a collateral branch within Naphtali or a second bearer whose reputation preserved the name’s honor in northern Israel. Scripture thus shows the name functioning both as an eponym for an original clan and as a commemorative link within later tribal records. Census and Tribal Identity The military census in Numbers 26 took place shortly before Israel’s entry into Canaan. Inclusion of the Malkielites confirms their perseverance through the wilderness and secures their share in the tribal allotment east of the Sea of Galilee. Although the Old Testament never records a judge, prophet, or king from this clan, the census notice underscores God’s faithfulness to preserve every family line promised a heritage in the land (see Joshua 19:32-39). Territorial Footprint While direct archaeological identification of “Malkielite” settlements remains elusive, Naphtali’s inheritance incorporated fertile valleys and strong defensive positions in Upper Galilee. This geography later enabled participation in the victories of Barak and Deborah (Judges 4-5) and in the muster under King David (1 Chronicles 12:34). The continued presence of a Malchiel in 1 Chronicles suggests that the family legacy endured through the divided-kingdom era, possibly linked to villages such as Birzaith in the northern hill country. Theological Themes 1. Divine Kingship: The name’s theophoric construction (“God is King”) quietly testifies to Israel’s earliest confession of Yahweh’s sovereign rule—centuries before earthly monarchy arose (1 Samuel 8). Ministry Applications • Heritage and Identity – Congregations today benefit from tracing their spiritual ancestry, learning that no clan or individual is invisible in God’s record (cf. Luke 10:20). Summary Malkiel stands as a quiet yet durable witness within the narrative of Israel. Mentioned in three strategic genealogical texts, he anchors a Naphtalite clan through Egypt, the wilderness, and settlement in Canaan. His name proclaims the kingship of God, his descendants secure a stake in the Promised Land, and his legacy encourages every believer whose service may remain hidden from history yet recorded before the throne. Forms and Transliterations וּמַלְכִּיאֵ֑ל וּמַלְכִּיאֵֽל׃ ומלכיאל ומלכיאל׃ לְמַ֨לְכִּיאֵ֔ל למלכיאל lə·mal·kî·’êl ləmalkî’êl leMalkiEl ū·mal·kî·’êl ūmalkî’êl umalkiElLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 46:17 HEB: בְרִיעָ֔ה חֶ֖בֶר וּמַלְכִּיאֵֽל׃ NAS: of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel. KJV: of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel. INT: of Beriah Heber and Malchiel Numbers 26:45 1 Chronicles 7:31 3 Occurrences |