Original Word: מְלַטְיָה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Mlatyah
Pronunciation: mal-te-YAH
Phonetic Spelling: (mel-at-yaw')
KJV: Melatiah
Word Origin: [from H4423 (מֶלֶט - mortar) and H3050 (יָהּ - LORD)]

1. (whom) Jah has delivered
2. Melatjah, a Gibeonite

Melatiah

From melet and Yahh; (whom) Jah has delivered; Melatjah, a Gibeonite -- Melatiah.

see HEBREW melet

see HEBREW Yahh

מְלַטְיָה proper name, masculine (Yahweh delivered, compare Gray^{Prop. N. 267, 293}) a Gibeonite, a builder at the wall Nehemiah 3:7; ᵐ5^L Μαλτιας.

מְלִיצָה see ליץ.

I. מלך (√ of following; meaning dubious; Thes compare Arabic possess, own exclusively, compare Ethiopic so Bae^{Rel. 144} (compare בַּעַל), and Nö^{ZMG xl.1886, 727}; Lyon^{Bib. Sacr., Apr. 1884} Dl^{Prol. 30} and others compare Assyrian malâku, counsel, advise Dl^{HWB 412}, Biblical Hebrew and Late Hebrew מָלַךְ Aramaic , מְלַךְ, whence king as originally counsellor, he whose opinion is decisive).

Identity and Origin

Melatiah appears in Nehemiah 3:7 as “Melatiah the Gibeonite.” The description associates him with the historic city of Gibeon, whose inhabitants entered covenant with Israel in the days of Joshua (Joshua 9). Through centuries of Israel’s history the Gibeonites remained closely linked to the worship center at Gibeon and later to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16:39–40). By the Persian period they were fully integrated among the returned community. Melatiah’s presence in Nehemiah’s list testifies that descendants of those once-foreign servants were now voluntary partners in the covenant people’s restoration.

Role in the Rebuilding of Jerusalem

Nehemiah 3 records the organized reconstruction of Jerusalem’s fortifications. Verse 7 places Melatiah alongside “Jadon the Meronothite, men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who repaired the throne of the governor of the region beyond the River”. Their section lay near the administrative seat of the Persian provincial governor—one of the most visible and politically sensitive portions of the wall. By accepting responsibility for that stretch, Melatiah demonstrated courage and civic faithfulness. His labor complemented priests (Nehemiah 3:1), local rulers (3:12), and even goldsmiths and merchants (3:32), exemplifying Nehemiah’s aim that “the work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another” (Nehemiah 4:19), yet united in purpose.

Historical Significance

1. Continuity of Covenant Mercy: The Gibeonites originally sought Israel’s protection through subterfuge, yet God honored Israel’s oath to them (Joshua 9:19) and later spared them in the days of Saul’s judgment (2 Samuel 21:1–6). Melatiah’s name in Nehemiah 3 underscores the enduring faithfulness of the Lord to preserve even formerly alien peoples within His redemptive storyline.
2. Post-Exilic Unity: The restoration era required collaboration beyond tribal boundaries. Residents of Gibeon, located about six miles northwest of Jerusalem, could have argued that the capital’s defenses were someone else’s concern. Their willingness to help shows the broad, nation-wide vision Nehemiah inspired (Nehemiah 2:17–18).
3. Civic Representation: Repairing a section “opposite the seat of the governor” placed Melatiah in daily contact with Persian officials, symbolizing loyalty not only to Judah but also to the empire’s legitimate civil order (compare Romans 13:1).

Ministry Lessons

• Inclusion of the Marginalized: Melatiah’s heritage encourages believers to recognize every willing worker in God’s kingdom, regardless of background (Ephesians 2:11–13).
• Cooperative Service: Nehemiah 3 lists over forty teams; none could finish the wall alone. Modern ministry likewise flourishes when specialized and lay vocations combine (1 Corinthians 12:4–27).
• Faith Expressed Through Labor: Rebuilding stones under threat required both prayer (Nehemiah 4:9) and practical industry. Melatiah typifies the balance of spiritual and material stewardship demanded of disciples today (James 2:17).

Related Biblical Threads

Joshua 9; 2 Samuel 21:1–6; 1 Chronicles 16:39–40; Nehemiah 3:7; Nehemiah 4:19; Ephesians 2:11–13; 1 Corinthians 12:4–27; James 2:17

מְלַטְיָ֣ה מלטיה mə·laṭ·yāh melatYah məlaṭyāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts