מַלְאָכִ֔ים

𐤌𐤋𐤀𐤊𐤉𐤌

maleakhim

messengers

from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher); ambassador, angel, king, messenger.

H4397

Numbers 21:21 · Word #3

Lexicon H4397

Lemmaמֲלְאָךְ
Lemma (Paleo)𐤌𐤋𐤀𐤊
Transliterationmălʼâk
Strong'sH4397
In-contextmessengers

Morphology HNcmpa All morphology codes

Part of Speech N — Noun — A person, place, thing, or idea
Subtype c — Common — Common noun
Gender m — Masculine — Masculine
Number p — Plural — Plural
State a — Absolute — The noun stands independently

SIBI-P1 H4397-15

deputed messengers

Rootלאך (l-ʾ-k)
Core Meaningsto send, to dispatch, to commission, deputation
Semantic Rangehuman messengers, royal envoys, prophetic representatives, priestly agents, heavenly beings (angels) acting as divine emissaries
Conceptual SignificanceThis term emphasizes agency and delegated authority. Whether referring to human envoys or heavenly beings, מַלְאָכִים highlights the biblical theme that YHWH governs through commissioned representatives who carry and enact His word and will.
Morphological NotesCommon masculine plural noun in the absolute state (HNcmpa); no pronominal suffix; refers to multiple male or grammatically masculine agents.
Rendering RationaleThe noun derives from a root meaning "to send" or "to dispatch as a deputy," so "deputed messengers" preserves the idea of commissioned agents rather than generic bearers of news. The morphology (common masculine plural absolute) is reflected in the plural form "messengers," indicating multiple commissioned agents.

AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)

Words from Root לאך (to send, to dispatch, to commission, deputation)

SILEX Code Transliteration SIBI-P1
H4397-01 bemaleakhey in the dispatched-messengers of
H4400-01 bemaleakhut in the messengership of
H4397-02 hamaleakhe the commissioned messenger
H4397-03 hamaleakhim the dispatched messengers
H4397-05 kemaleakhi like my commissioned messenger
H4397-06 lamaleakhe to the commissioned messenger
H4397-07 lamaleakhim to the dispatched messengers
H4397-08 lemaleakhey to envoys-of
H4399-07 limelakhah for assigned service-work
H4397-09 maleakhayv his commissioned messengers
H4397-10 maleakhe messenger of
H4398-01 maleakheh his messenger
H4397-11 maleakhekheh your commissioned messengers
H4397-12 maleakhey messengers of
H4397-14 maleakhi my deputed-messenger
H4397-16 maleakho his deputed messenger
H4397-18 umaleakhe and a dispatched-messenger
H4397-19 umaleakhim and deputed messengers
H4397-20 uvemaleakhayv and in his dispatched-messengers
H4397-21 vehamaleakhe and the commissioned messenger

Word Usage (213 occurrences of H4397)

Location Form Transliteration Meaning
Genesis 16:7 מַלְאַ֧ךְ maleakhe the angel
Genesis 16:9 מַלְאַ֣ךְ maleakhe angel
Genesis 16:10 מַלְאַ֣ךְ maleakhe angel