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מַלְאַךְ

𐤌𐤋𐤀𐤊

malʼak

H4398 noun

SILEX Entry

Root מלא to send, to commission, to fill with a task

Definition

Messenger; an official emissary, one who carries a message or performs a specific commission on behalf of another. In the context of divine service, refers to a supernatural agent or being executing the will of God; in human contexts, denotes a human representative, envoy, or delegate. The semantic range encompasses both human and non-human (heavenly) agents, determined by context.

Semantic Range

messenger, envoy, emissary, official courier, agent, supernatural agent, angelic being

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root מ-ל-א (מלא), meaning 'to send' or 'to commission.' The word itself is an Aramaic corresponding form to the Hebrew מַלְאָךְ, sharing the same root and morphological structure as a substantivized participle meaning 'one who is sent' or 'messenger.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Biblical Aramaic texts (e.g., Daniel, Ezra), מַלְאַךְ is used for both human and angelic messengers, closely parallel to Hebrew usage. In administrative or royal settings, often designates a diplomatic envoy or official courier. In narrative or apocalyptic literature, usage shifts toward heavenly beings (often rendered 'angel' in translations). The English 'angel' captures only the supernatural sense; the broader sense of 'messenger'—whether human or supernatural—is primary in ancient contexts. As with the Hebrew, one must rely on narrative context to determine whether a human or non-human agent is intended. Compare related terms שָׁלִיחַ (shaliach, 'agent') or צִיר (tsir, 'envoy') for alternate messenger roles. Later religious traditions narrowed the semantic range to supernatural beings, but in the biblical Aramaic context, the term's application remains broad.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) corresponding to מֲלְאָךְ; an angel; angel.

Bantu Hebrew

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

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Root Family

מלא (m-l-ʾ) — to send, to commission, to fill with a task

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3229 יִמְלָא He-will-be-full
H4390 מָלֵא I will fill up
H4391 מְלָא he filled himself
H4392 מָלֵא the fullness
H4393 מְלֹא fullness of

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4398-01 מַלְאֲכֵ/הּ֙ maleakheh ANcmsc/Sp3ms his angel his commissioned messenger 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4398-01 Daniel 3:28 מַלְאֲכֵ/הּ֙ maleakheh ANcmsc/Sp3ms his angel his commissioned messenger
H4398-01 Daniel 6:23 מַלְאֲכֵ֗/הּ maleakheh ANcmsc/Sp3ms His angel his commissioned messenger
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