Melech

Melech is a Hebrew masculine given name that literally means "king". In the Old Testament, it appears as the name of a son of Micah (not the prophet, but a man mentioned in the Book of Judges as an idol keeper). The name shares its etymological root with the word melekh, which is used throughout the Hebrew Bible to refer to human kings and, notably, to God as the divine king.

Historical and Biblical Context

While Melech is not a common biblical name, its appearance in the genealogy of Micah (Judges 17–18) links it to the period of the Judges, before the establishment of the Israelite monarchy. The name's meaning ties it to the concept of kingship, which becomes central later in biblical history. In the wider Semitic context, the root mlk is found in other names and terms, such as the Caananite god Moloch, though that association is distinct from the Hebrew biblical usage.

Notable Bearers

Notable modern bearers include Melech Epstein (1889–1979), an American journalist and historian who wrote about Jewish life in North America; Melech Ravitch (1893–1976), a celebrated Canadian Yiddish poet and essayist; and Meilech Kohn, an American Hasidic singer. David Melech Friedman (born 1958) served as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel. Melech Zagrodski was a distinguished agronomist and recipient of the 1939 Bialik Prize. The name also appears among contemporary Israelis and Jewish communities worldwide.

Variants and Related Forms

A direct variant is Melek (pronounced meh-LEK), also used in Hebrew and other languages. The Aramaic form Malka derives from the same root, as do the English name Melchior and the surname Malik (from Arabic malik 'king'). The spelling Meilech is common among Ashkenazi Jews.

• Meaning: "King"
• Origin: Hebrew
• Type: First name
• Scripture: Old Testament (son of Micah)
• Usage regions: Jewish diaspora, Israel, English-speaking countries