Meaning & History
Melchol is a Biblical Greek form of the name Michal 2, which appears in the Septuagint, the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. It originates from the Hebrew name Mikhal (מיכל), which may mean "brook" or "small stream" in Hebrew.
Biblical Background
In the Old Testament, Michal was the daughter of King Saul and the first wife of King David. According to 1 Samuel 18:20–27, Michal fell in love with David, and Saul initially offered her to David as a wife, demanding a bride price of one hundred Philistine foreskins in an attempt to have David killed. David succeeded, and Michal became his wife. However, when David fled from Saul's persecution, Michal was remarried to a man named Palti. Later, after David became king, he demanded her return (2 Samuel 3:13–16), and she was taken from her second husband. In 2 Samuel 6:16–23, Michal criticized David for dancing uncovered before the Ark of the Covenant, leading to a falling out; the text states she bore no children as a result.
Linguistic Context
The name Melchol specifically illustrates the transliteration of the Hebrew Mikhal into Greek: the Hebrew kaf (כ) became chi (χ) in Greek, reflecting the pronunciation conventions of the time. The exact form Melchol appears in the Septuagint manuscripts; it is also found in the writings of early Church Fathers and in Byzantine liturgical texts.
Related Forms
Other Biblical versions include Michol (Biblical Latin) and Micol (Italian). In Biblical Hebrew, the original name is vocalized as Mikhal. The name Michal 2 is the modern English usage.
Key Facts
- Meaning: Possibility "brook" (Hebrew)
- Type: Biblical name, Greek variant
- Origin: Greek adaptation of Hebrew Mikhal
- Usage regions: Ancient Greek Jewish communities; also in early Christian contexts
- Notable bearer: Wife of David, daughter of King Saul