Definition and Meaning:
The term "Hammelek" is a Hebrew word that translates to "the king." It is used in the Bible as a title rather than a personal name. The term is often associated with individuals who are identified as sons of a king, indicating their royal lineage or connection to the monarchy.

Biblical References:
Hammelek appears in the context of identifying certain individuals in the Old Testament. One notable reference is found in the book of Jeremiah, where it is used to describe the lineage of certain figures.

· Jeremiah 36:26 : "Then the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of the king, Seraiah son of Azriel, and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet. But the LORD had hidden them." In this passage, "the son of the king" is rendered from the Hebrew "ben-hammelek," indicating Jerahmeel's royal descent.

· Jeremiah 38:6 : "So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchijah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes. Now there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud." Here, "the king’s son" is again derived from "ben-hammelek," referring to Malchijah's status as a royal offspring.

Contextual Significance:
The use of "Hammelek" in these passages underscores the political and social dynamics of the time. The individuals identified as "sons of the king" often held significant influence and authority, acting on behalf of the reigning monarch. Their actions, as seen in the accounts of Jeremiah, reflect the complex interplay between prophetic ministry and royal authority in ancient Judah.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the mention of "Hammelek" highlights the tension between divine authority and human governance. The narratives involving these royal figures often illustrate the challenges faced by prophets like Jeremiah, who were called to deliver God's messages in the face of opposition from the ruling class. The protection of Jeremiah by divine intervention, as noted in Jeremiah 36:26, serves as a testament to God's sovereignty and His ability to safeguard His messengers against earthly powers.

Historical and Cultural Context:
In the ancient Near Eastern context, being a "son of the king" conferred not only status but also responsibilities. These individuals were often involved in the administration of the kingdom and could be tasked with carrying out the king's orders, as seen in the attempts to arrest Jeremiah. The title "Hammelek" thus reflects both the privilege and the burden of royal association in the biblical narrative.

Conclusion:
While "Hammelek" is not a personal name, its use in the Bible provides insight into the royal structures and the roles of those connected to the monarchy. The interactions between these figures and the prophets offer a rich tapestry of historical, cultural, and theological themes that continue to be explored in biblical studies.

The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... once in the title) of the abbreviated form of the relative pronoun as a
prefix"shekkullam for asher kullam; shehammelek for asher hammelek, etc."which is ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxi the poetical books.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Hammelek (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hammelek (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 36:26 And the
king commandeth Jerahmeel son of Hammelek, and Seraiah ...
/h/hammelek.htm - 6k

Hammer (15 Occurrences)

/h/hammer.htm - 15k

Jerah'meel (8 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 36:26 And the king commandeth Jerahmeel son of Hammelek, and Seraiah son
of Azriel, and Shelemiah son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe, and ...
/j/jerah'meel.htm - 8k

Shelemi'ah (10 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 36:26 And the king commandeth Jerahmeel son of Hammelek, and Seraiah son
of Azriel, and Shelemiah son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe, and ...
/s/shelemi'ah.htm - 9k

Serai'ah (18 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 36:26 And the king commandeth Jerahmeel son of Hammelek, and Seraiah son
of Azriel, and Shelemiah son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe, and ...
/s/serai'ah.htm - 11k

Hammelech (2 Occurrences)

/h/hammelech.htm - 7k

Commandeth (60 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 36:26 And the king commandeth Jerahmeel son of Hammelek, and Seraiah son
of Azriel, and Shelemiah son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe, and ...
/c/commandeth.htm - 25k

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