Lexical Summary malal: To speak, to utter Original Word: מָלַל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance say, speak, utter A primitive root; to speak (mostly poetical) or say -- say, speak, utter. Brown-Driver-Briggs I. [מָלַל] verb Pi`el speak, utter, say (Late Hebrew Pi`el id.; Aramaic  (and many derivatives ), מַלֵּל; perhaps compare Arabic  IV. dictate (a letter, etc.), ( )  IV id. NöZMG xi. 1886, 725); — Pi`el Perfect מִלֵּל Genesis 21:7; compare 1singular מַלּוֺתִי (Ew§274 b. N) as proper name below; מִלֵּ֑לוּ Job 33:3; Imperfect יְמַלֵּל Psalm 106:2; תְּמַלֶּלֿ Job 8:2; — say, followed by direct quotation + לְ of indirect object Genesis 21:7; utter, object דַּ֫עַת Job 33:3; compare Job 8:2; object ׳גְּבוּרוֺת י Psalm 106:2. II. [מָלַל] verb rub, scrape (Late Hebrew id., rub ears of wheat, scrape); — only Qal Participle מוֺלֵל in קֹרֵץ בְּעֵינָו֯ מוֺלֵל בְּרַגְלָ֑ו֯ מֹרֶה בְּאֶצְבְּעֹתָיו Proverbs 6:13 he that winketh with his eyes, that scrapeth with his feet (making signs), etc., so De Now Str < Ew Wild from I. מלל that speaketh with his feet. Topical Lexicon Overview of Usage The verb appears only five times, yet its range stretches from ordinary conversation to the loftiest proclamation of God’s works. Whether reporting a marvel (Genesis 21:7), challenging a sufferer (Job 8:2), testifying with integrity (Job 33:3), celebrating divine power (Psalm 106:2), or signaling deceit (Proverbs 6:13), it consistently highlights the moral weight of human communication. Speech as Acknowledgment of God’s Wonders Genesis 21:7 records Sarah’s awe: “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” Here speech serves to confess the unexpected kindness of the LORD. Malal frames the testimony: words capture and publicize God’s faithfulness, inviting the listener to share in praise. Psalm 106:2 poses a rhetorical challenge: “Who can speak of the mighty deeds of the LORD, or fully proclaim His praise?” Words prove inadequate before God’s infinite works, yet believers are still summoned to attempt the task. Human speech becomes a vessel for worship, however limited, calling the congregation to remember and recount divine salvation across generations (compare Exodus 15:1–18; Luke 1:46–55). Speech in the Crucible of Suffering Job’s dialogues feature the verb twice. Bildad rebukes Job: “How long will you say such things? Your words are a blustering wind” (Job 8:2). Later, Elihu defends his own words: “My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know” (Job 33:3). Together they illustrate the tension between careless, even cruel, speech and speech shaped by integrity and humility. The narrative warns that theological accuracy must be married to compassion (Job 42:7–8; Ephesians 4:29). Speech as a Tool of Deceit Proverbs 6:12–14 sketches “a worthless and wicked man” who “winks his eyes, signals with his feet, and motions with his fingers” (verse 13). Here malal refers to covert gestures—non-verbal speech designed to mislead. The proverb exposes the heart behind deceptive communication and issues a sober reminder that God “hates a lying tongue” (Proverbs 6:16–17). Theological Threads 1. Human speech is accountable to God (Psalm 19:14; Matthew 12:36). Ministry Significance • Preaching and testimony: The word underscores the privilege and duty to declare God’s acts. Congregational worship should include verbal recounting of salvation history. Bridging to New Testament Fulfillment The incarnate Word (John 1:1–14) embodies perfect speech, revealing God without deceit (1 Peter 2:22). By the Spirit, the church receives power to “declare the wonders of God” (Acts 2:11) and to “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). In Christ, malal finds its ultimate trajectory: redeemed lips proclaiming a redeemed Savior until every tongue confesses that “Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:11). Forms and Transliterations יְ֭מַלֵּל ימלל מִלֵּֽלוּ׃ מִלֵּל֙ מֹלֵ֣ל מלל מללו׃ תְּמַלֶּל־ תמלל־ mil·lê·lū mil·lêl milLel millêl milLelu millêlū mō·lêl moLel mōlêl tə·mal·lel- temallel təmallel- yə·mal·lêl Yemallel yəmallêlLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 21:7 HEB: וַתֹּ֗אמֶר מִ֤י מִלֵּל֙ לְאַבְרָהָ֔ם הֵינִ֥יקָה KJV: And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, INT: said Who have said to Abraham nurse Job 8:2 Job 33:3 Psalm 106:2 Proverbs 6:13 5 Occurrences |
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