Bible Dictionary
Hammelech
A Hebrew expression meaning “the king,” incorrectly treated in some English versions as a personal name. It occurs in passages concerning Jerahmeel and the prison where Jeremiah was confined.
Definition
Hammelech is a Hebrew expression meaning “the king.” Though treated as a personal name in some English versions, the supplied material states that it should be understood as a common noun.
Biblical Usage
The expression occurs in passages concerning Jerahmeel and the prison where Jeremiah was confined. One interpretation understands Jerahmeel as the king’s son, while another treats Hammelech as a proper name.
Historical Background
The rendering “the king” is followed by the American Standard Revised Version, whereas the King James Version treated the expression as a personal name.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The king’s, the father of Jerahmeel, mentioned in Jer. 36:26. Some take this word as a common noun, “the king”, and understand that Jerahmeel was Jehoiakim’s son. Probably, however, it is to be taken as a proper name.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
lit. “the king, ” unnecessarily rendered in the Authorized Version as a proper name. (Jeremiah 36:26; 38:6)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ham'-e-lek (ha-melekh, "the king"): Wrongly translated as a proper name in the King James Version. It should be rendered "the king," as in the American Standard Revised Version (Jer 36:26; 38:6).</p>