Original Word: מִלֻּא
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: millu'
Pronunciation: mil-loo'
Phonetic Spelling: (mil-loo')
KJV: consecration, be set
NASB: ordination, ordination offering, setting, inlaid
Word Origin: [from H4390 (מָלֵא מָלָא - filled)]

1. a fulfilling (only in plural)
2. (literally) a setting (of gems)
3. (technically) consecration
4. (concretely) a dedicatory sacrifice

consecration, be set

From male'; a fulfilling (only in plural), i.e. (literally) a setting (of gems), or (technically) consecration (also concretely, a dedicatory sacrifice) -- consecration, be set.

see HEBREW male'

Word Origin
from male
Definition
setting, installation
NASB Translation
inlaid (1), ordination (8), ordination offering (3), setting (3).

[מִלּוּא, מִלֻּא] noun masculine setting, installation; (compare verb Pi`el Pu`al); — plural מִלֻּאִים (׳מִלּוּ) Exodus 25:7 13t.; מִלֻּאֵיכֶם Leviticus 8:33; —

1 setting, ׳אַבְנֵי מ stones for setting Exodus 25:7; Exodus 35:9,27 compare 1 Chronicles 29:2 (׳אַבְנֵי שֹׁ֫הַם וּמ).

2 installation (of priests): Leviticus 7:37; Leviticus 8:33; = installation-offering Leviticus 8:28 ("" אִשָּׁה) compare ׳סַלֿ הַמּ Leviticus 8:31; ׳אֵיל הַמּ Exodus 29:22,26,27,31; Leviticus 8:22,29; ׳בְּשַׂר הַמ Exodus 29:34.

Semantic Range and Theological Nuances

The noun denotes what is filled or the act of filling. When applied to objects, it refers to “settings” that are filled with precious stones. When applied to people, it describes the “filling of the hand,” the formal act of ordination that installs a priest into sacred service. In both cases the core idea is completeness—everything required is supplied so that God’s purpose may proceed without lack.

Settings for the Priestly Garments (Exodus 25:7; 35:9; 35:27)

In the tabernacle instructions the word points to gold mountings fashioned to receive onyx and other gems for the ephod and breastpiece. The stones themselves symbolized the tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:21); the completed settings therefore depict Israel securely borne upon the high priest’s shoulders and heart. Because the mountings are called מִלֻּא, the text subtly teaches that Israel’s covenant identity is not haphazard but purposely “filled out” by God’s design.

The artisans’ freewill offerings in Exodus 35 repeat the term, showing that the people shared in providing the material “fullness” required for worship. Their generosity anticipates New Testament exhortations that every believer supply what is lacking in the body of Christ.

The Ram and Days of Ordination (Exodus 29; Leviticus 7–8)

Eight times the word appears in the priestly ordination narrative. The “ram of ordination” (Exodus 29:22) and the accompanying grain cakes were consumed in a ritual that lasted seven days, climaxing with Aaron and his sons “filling their hands” with portions of the sacrifice. Leviticus summarizes: “This is the law of the burn offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the guilt offering, the ordination offering, and the peace offering” (Leviticus 7:37).

The ceremony marked a definitive transition from common life to holy service. Each occurrence of the term underscores that ordination is not a human career move but a divine completion: God supplies the office, the sacrifice, and the empowering Spirit, while the priest submits empty hands to be filled.

Sanctuary Residency and Protective Grace (Leviticus 8:31–33)

After the public rites, Moses told Aaron and his sons to remain in the tent of meeting for the full ordination period: “You must not leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your ordination are fulfilled” (Leviticus 8:33). The enclosed space functioned as a holy refuge; the priests could not stray lest the process be left incomplete. The passage models a principle of ministry: fresh appointees thrive when they abide in God’s presence until His work of preparation is finished.

Royal Provision for Temple Construction (1 Chronicles 29:2)

David declares, “With all my ability I have provided for the house of my God… stones for settings” (the same term). The king’s personal devotion supplies the temple project with prepared mountings, paralleling Exodus but on a royal scale. The chronicler thereby links priestly and kingly roles: both offices advance when God’s appointed leader ensures that nothing is lacking for worship.

Covenantal Fullness Across Redemptive History

From Sinai to Solomon, the word traces a line of continuity. The completed settings anticipate a completed priesthood, and together they prefigure the ultimate Priest–King whose resurrection body is the true temple. Jesus Christ fulfills every “lack” by offering His own blood, then fills His people with the Holy Spirit so they can serve as “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9).

Ministerial Lessons for Today

• Worship requires intentional completeness; half-measures dishonor a God who fills all in all.
• Ordination is God’s act before it is ours; leaders must allow Him to finish His work in them.
• The congregation participates by supplying material and spiritual resources so that ministry settings are fully prepared.
• Christ now supplies every grace gift, guaranteeing that the church can lack nothing essential for faithful service.

הַמִּלֻּאִ֑ים הַמִּלֻּאִ֔ים הַמִּלֻּאִ֖ים הַמִּלֻּאִ֗ים הַמִּלֻּאִ֛ים הַמִּלֻּאִים֙ המלאים וְלַ֨מִּלּוּאִ֔ים וּמִלּוּאִ֜ים ולמלואים ומלואים מִלֻּאִ֑ים מִלֻּאִ֖ים מִלֻּאִ֥ים מִלֻּאֵיכֶ֑ם מלאיכם מלאים ham·mil·lu·’îm hammillu’îm hammilluIm mil·lu·’ê·ḵem mil·lu·’îm millu’êḵem millu’îm millueiChem milluIm ū·mil·lū·’îm ūmillū’îm umilluIm veLammilluIm wə·lam·mil·lū·’îm wəlammillū’îmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts