מַלְכוּת
Malkhut
Kingdom, reign, sovereignty
Malkhut (מַלְכוּת) is a Hebrew word meaning “kingdom, reign, sovereignty,” pronounced “mal-KHUT.” Derived from the root מ-ל-כ, malkhut appears 91 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H4438).
| Hebrew | מַלְכוּת |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Malkhut |
| Pronunciation | mal-KHUT |
| Meaning | Kingdom, reign, sovereignty |
| Root Letters | מ-ל-כ |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 91× |
| Key Verse | Daniel 2:44 |
| Strong's Number | H4438 |
| Category | Kingdom & Authority |
When Jesus began His ministry declaring 'the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand' (Matthew 4:17), He was using a concept saturated with Hebrew meaning. The word malkhut (מַלְכוּת) does not primarily refer to a geographical territory — it refers to the active exercise of royal authority. God's malkhut is not a place you go; it is a reign you submit to. Daniel 2:44 prophesies a malkhut set up by God that will crush all earthly empires and stand forever. Psalm 145:13 declares, 'Your malkhut is an everlasting malkhut.' In Jewish liturgy, the prayer 'Adonai melech, Adonai malach, Adonai yimloch l'olam va'ed' captures the eternal scope of God's malkhut. Understanding this word transforms how you read every Kingdom parable Jesus told — it is not distant future, but present reality breaking into the world.
Key Bible Verse: Daniel 2:44
“And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom (malkhut) that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.”
What Is the Root of Malkhut in Hebrew?
Malkhut derives from the root מ-ל-כ (mem-lamed-kaf), meaning 'to reign, to be king.' It is the abstract noun form, emphasizing the act of reigning rather than the person of the king (melech).
What Does Malkhut Mean in the Bible?
Malkhut appears 91 times in the Hebrew Bible, concentrated in Daniel, Esther, and Chronicles. The related word 'mamlakhah' appears 117 times. Together they describe both earthly kingdoms and God's eternal sovereign rule.
How Is Malkhut Used in Modern Hebrew?
The central Jewish prayer includes 'accepting the yoke of the malkhut of Heaven' — a daily act of submission to God's sovereignty. In modern Hebrew, malkhut still refers to monarchy and sovereign rule.
How to Use Malkhut in Prayer & Worship
Pray 'Your malkhut come, Your will be done' with fresh understanding. God's Kingdom is His active reign breaking into your circumstances today. Submit every area of your life to His sovereign authority.
Frequently Asked Questions About Malkhut
How do you say “Kingdom” in Hebrew?
“Kingdom” in Hebrew is Malkhut (מַלְכוּת), pronounced “mal-KHUT.” Malkhut derives from the root מ-ל-כ (mem-lamed-kaf), meaning 'to reign, to be king.' It is the abstract noun form, emphasizing the act of reigning rather than the person of the king (melech).
What does Malkhut mean in the Bible?
Malkhut (מַלְכוּת) means “Kingdom, reign, sovereignty” in Biblical Hebrew. Malkhut appears 91 times in the Hebrew Bible, concentrated in Daniel, Esther, and Chronicles. The related word 'mamlakhah' appears 117 times. Together they describe both earthly kingdoms and God's eternal sovereign rule.
How do you pronounce Malkhut?
Malkhut is pronounced “mal-KHUT.” The word comes from the Hebrew root מ-ל-כ.
What did Jesus mean by 'the Kingdom of Heaven'?
The phrase 'Kingdom of Heaven' (Malkhut HaShamayim) appears exclusively in Matthew. In Jewish tradition, 'Heaven' is a reverential substitute for God's name. Jesus proclaimed that God's malkhut was breaking into history through His ministry — both present reality (Luke 17:21) and future hope (Matthew 6:10).
What is the difference between malkhut and mamlakhah?
Malkhut emphasizes kingship and royal authority in the abstract. Mamlakhah emphasizes the concrete domain over which a king rules. Daniel's eternal malkhut focuses on God's unending authority. Solomon's mamlakhah refers to his actual territorial domain.
What is Malkhut in Kabbalah?
In Jewish mysticism, Malkhut is the tenth sefirah, representing God's presence manifesting in the physical world — the Shekhinah. It is the gateway through which God's heavenly reign touches earthly reality.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H4438: Malkhut
- Bible Gateway — Daniel 2:44 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for מ-ל-כ
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