Malcham, also known as Milcom, is a deity associated with the Ammonites, a people frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as adversaries of Israel. The name "Malcham" is derived from the Hebrew root "melek," meaning "king," and is often interpreted as "their king" or "the king." This deity is closely linked to the worship practices of the Ammonites, which were considered idolatrous and abominable by the Israelites.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Kings 11:5, 7 : "For Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites... At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites." These verses highlight King Solomon's apostasy in his later years, as he built high places for foreign gods, including Malcham, leading Israel into idolatry.

2. 2 Kings 23:13 : "The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites." This passage describes King Josiah's reforms, where he destroyed the high places Solomon had erected, including those for Malcham, in an effort to restore true worship of Yahweh.

3. Zephaniah 1:5 : "I will cut off those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, and those who bow and swear by both the LORD and by Milcom." This verse condemns the syncretistic practices of the people who attempted to worship both Yahweh and Malcham, illustrating the spiritual decline and the mixing of pagan practices with the worship of the God of Israel.

Historical and Cultural Context:

Malcham was worshiped by the Ammonites, a Semitic people who lived east of the Jordan River. The Ammonites were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew, and often found themselves in conflict with the Israelites. The worship of Malcham likely involved rituals and practices that were abhorrent to the Israelites, including possible child sacrifice, as suggested by the association with Molech, another deity linked to such practices.

The presence of Malcham worship in Israel, particularly during Solomon's reign, indicates the influence of foreign wives and political alliances that led to religious syncretism. This was a direct violation of the first commandment, which forbids the worship of other gods (Exodus 20:3).

Theological Significance:

The worship of Malcham represents a recurring theme in the Old Testament: the struggle between the worship of Yahweh and the temptation to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations. The prophets consistently warned against idolatry, emphasizing the need for exclusive devotion to Yahweh. The presence of Malcham worship in Israel serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising one's faith and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.

In summary, Malcham is a symbol of the idolatrous practices that plagued Israel throughout its history, highlighting the tension between faithfulness to God and the allure of foreign influences. The biblical narrative consistently calls for the rejection of such deities and a return to the worship of the one true God.Malcham

Malchom, their king; their counselor

4445. Malkam -- a Benjamite
... 4444, 4445. Malkam. 4445a . a Benjamite. Transliteration: Malkam Phonetic
Spelling: (mal-kawm') Short Definition: Malcham. Malcham, Milcom ...
/hebrew/4445.htm - 5k

The Nations of the South-East
... But Ammi was usually worshipped under the title of Malcham or Milcom, "the King."
It was to Milcom that Solomon erected an altar at Jerusalem, in honour of ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts." An apostate priesthood taught the
people to swear at once by the Lord, and by Malcham"the abomination of the ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... heinousness of the offence is declared by the punishment denounced against it,
"I will cut off them that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham," (Zeph.1 ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... with the priests; and them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and
them that worship, which swear to Jahveh and swear by Malcham; and them that ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Malcham (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Malcham (2 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 8:9 And he begat
of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham, (KJV DBY WBS YLT) ...
/m/malcham.htm - 6k

Malcam (6 Occurrences)

/m/malcam.htm - 9k

Malchiah (10 Occurrences)

/m/malchiah.htm - 10k

Roofs (13 Occurrences)
... 1:5 And those bowing themselves On the roofs to the host of the heavens, And those
bowing themselves, Swearing to Jehovah, and swearing by Malcham, (YLT RSV NIV ...
/r/roofs.htm - 10k

Moloch (2 Occurrences)
... He is also called Molech (Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5, etc.), Milcom (1 Kings 11:5,
33, etc.), and Malcham (Zephaniah 1:5). This god became Chemosh among the ...
/m/moloch.htm - 21k

Swearing (17 Occurrences)
... 1:5 And those bowing themselves On the roofs to the host of the heavens, And those
bowing themselves, Swearing to Jehovah, and swearing by Malcham, (YLT). ...
/s/swearing.htm - 12k

Begetteth (52 Occurrences)
... Ahitub, (YLT). 1 Chronicles 8:9 And he begetteth of Hodesh his wife, Jobab,
and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham, (YLT). 1 Chronicles ...
/b/begetteth.htm - 19k

Bowing (35 Occurrences)
... 1:5 And those bowing themselves On the roofs to the host of the heavens, And those
bowing themselves, Swearing to Jehovah, and swearing by Malcham, (YLT). ...
/b/bowing.htm - 19k

Begot (119 Occurrences)
... wives. (DBY JPS). 1 Chronicles 8:9 And he begot of Hodesh his wife: Jobab,
and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham, (DBY JPS). 1 Chronicles ...
/b/begot.htm - 30k

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