Bible Dictionary
Regem-melech
Regem-melech was one of the representatives who came to ask whether the fast commemorating Jerusalem’s destruction should continue after the exile. The meaning of the name is “friend of the king.”
Definition
Regem-melech, possibly meaning “friend of the king,” was associated with a delegation that came to inquire about fasting after the destruction of the temple.
Biblical Usage
He was one of the representatives who asked whether the commemoration of Jerusalem’s destruction should continue by the observance of a fast.
Historical Background
The text of the passage is described as disordered. Some have therefore understood the expression as a title rather than a personal name.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Friend of the king, one of the two messengers sent by the exiled Jews to Jerusalem in the time of Darius (Zech. 7:2) to make inquiries at the temple.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>re'-gem-me'-lek, re'-gem-mel'-ek (reghem melekh): One of a deputation sent to inquire concerning the propriety of continuing the commemoration of the destruction of the temple by holding a fast (Zec 7:2). The text of the passage is in disorder. The name may mean "friend of the king"; hence, some have sought to remove the difficulty by interpreting reghem melekh as a title, not a personal name, reading the clause, "They of Beth-el had sent SHAREZER (q.v. (2)), the friend of the king."</p>