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מְלַל

𐤌𐤋𐤋

mᵉlal

H4449 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To speak, to utter words, to converse; used in several contexts to denote the act of speaking, whether communicating or declaring something verbally. Primarily used in Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible as a general verb for speech, regardless of content.

Semantic Range

to speak, to utter words, to converse, to talk, to declare

Root / Etymology

Root: מ־ל־ל. The root מַלַל in Aramaic signifies 'to speak' or 'to utter,' and is parallel to the Hebrew root דָּבַר (ד־ב־ר), which also denotes 'to speak.' The verb מְלַל is the Aramaic form of a root meaning 'to speak' and is related to other Semitic languages where similar roots carry the same idea (cf. Arabic مَلَلَ 'to utter words').

Historical & Contextual Notes

מְלַל occurs only in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (notably, Daniel and Ezra), and it functions as the standard verb 'to speak,' similar to דִּבֵּר in Hebrew narrative. It is generally neutral, not carrying the command, proclamation, or announcement connotations of some other verbs for speaking, such as אֲמַר (to say, report, answer). In some English translations, it is simplified as 'say' or 'speak,' but its nuance covers any verbal utterance or conversation, either formal or informal. In later Aramaic and rabbinic literature, forms from this root continue to appear as the general verb 'to speak.' Unlike the Hebrew דָּבַר, which can have specific associations with communication of messages, מְלַל is broader in Aramaic contexts.

Translation Consistency

primary "speak" 5 occurrences

‘Speak’ is the natural, neutral English verb that covers the full SILEX range (to speak, utter, converse, declare). It matches the predominant attested renderings (e.g. “speaking”) and will produce natural, consistent inflections across all forms of H4449 in the SIBI translation.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to מָלַל; to speak; say, speak(-ing).

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

מלל (Maloti) — to speak, to say, to utter

Root מלל to speak, to utter, to converse
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4405 מִלָּה in uttered words
H4406 מִלָּה utterance
H4413 מַלּוֹתִי to My Utterance
H4450 מִלֲלַי Milalai

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4449-03 מְמַלִּ֥ל memalil AVprmsa speaking speaking one speaking 2
H4449-01 מַלִּ֑ל malil AVpp3ms spoke he declared spoke 1
H4449-02 מְמַלֱּלָ֑ה memalelah AVprfsa was speaking she who speaks was speaking 1
H4449-04 יְמַלִּ֔ל yemalil AVpi3ms he shall speak he will speak he will speak 1

Occurrences in Scripture

5 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4449-01 Daniel 6:22 מַלִּ֑ל malil AVpp3ms spoke he declared spoke
H4449-03 Daniel 7:8 מְמַלִּ֥ל memalil AVprmsa speaking speaking one speaking
H4449-02 Daniel 7:11 מְמַלֱּלָ֑ה memalelah AVprfsa was speaking she who speaks was speaking
H4449-03 Daniel 7:20 מְמַלִּ֣ל memalil AVprmsa speaking speaking one speaking
H4449-04 Daniel 7:25 יְמַלִּ֔ל yemalil AVpi3ms he shall speak he will speak he will speak
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