מִלֲלַי
𐤌𐤋𐤋𐤉
Milalay
H4450 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Milalai is a personal name, appearing in post-exilic records, specifically referring to an Israelite individual mentioned among singers or participants in the dedication of Jerusalem’s wall. The name itself likely means 'talkative' or is based on the idea of speaking or uttering words, but functions here as a proper noun rather than a descriptive term.
Semantic Range
proper name (Milalai); related to the idea of speaking or utterance, but only functions as a personal name in the Hebrew Bible
Root / Etymology
From the root מָלַל (malal), meaning 'to speak, utter, say.' The form מִלֲלַי appears to be a hypocoristic or derivative proper name formed from this root, with the ending -י possibly indicating possession or relationship ('my speaking' or 'my utterance'), but functioning idiomatically as a personal name. The exact morphology of the name is rare and may reflect dialectal or period-specific formation.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Milalai is attested solely in Nehemiah 12:36, where he is listed among the musicians or Levites present at the dedication of Jerusalem’s wall during the Persian period of Israelite history. The name’s construction is typical of post-exilic personal names that draw on verbal roots but function as proper nouns. The root מָלַל is related to speech or utterance, which resonates with his role among the Levitical singers. English translations have traditionally retained the name Milalai, but the name’s meaning ('talkative', 'speaker') is not used descriptively in context. Distinct from similar-sounding roots that may mean 'to wither,' here the derivation is clearly from the verbal idea of speaking. Later Jewish and Christian traditions have not developed theological significance from this figure; usage is limited to the singular biblical occurrence.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from מָלַל; talkative; Milalai, an Israelite; Milalai.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
מלל (m-l-l) — to speak, utter, say
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H4405 | מִלָּה | in uttered words |
| H4406 | מִלָּה | utterance |
| H4413 | מַלּוֹתִי | to My Utterance |
| H4425 | מְלִילָה | cropped grain-heads |
| H4448 | מָלַל | he solemnly uttered |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4450-01 |
מִֽלֲלַ֡י | milalay | HNp |
Milalai | Milalai | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4450-01 |
Nehemiah 12:36 | מִֽלֲלַ֡י | milalay | HNp |
Milalai | Milalai |