Lexical Summary Malkieli: Malchielites Original Word: מַלְכִּיאֵלִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Malchielite Patronymical from Malkiy'el; a Malkielite or descendant of Malkiel -- Malchielite. see HEBREW Malkiy'el NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Malkiel Definition desc. of Malchiel NASB Translation Malchielites (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַלְכִּיאֵלִי adjective, of a people with article as substantive collective ׳מִשְׁמַּחַת הַמּ Numbers 26:45. Topical Lexicon Identity within Israel’s Tribal Structure The Malchielites were the clan (mishpachah) that descended from Malchiel, a grandson of Asher and son of Beriah. They therefore formed one of the several constituent families that made up the tribe of Asher, alongside the Heberites, Imnites, Ishvites and others (Genesis 46:17; 1 Chronicles 7:30-31). Biblical Occurrence The clan name itself appears once, in the second wilderness census: “From Heber came the clan of the Heberites, and from Malchiel the clan of the Malchielites.” (Numbers 26:45). Although only this verse employs the clan designation, the ancestor Malchiel is mentioned in the migration list to Egypt (Genesis 46:17) and in the northern genealogies compiled after the conquest (1 Chronicles 7:31). These scattered notices confirm that the clan persisted from the patriarchal era through the settlement in Canaan. Historical Context: The Second Census Numbers 26 records the muster taken shortly before Israel crossed the Jordan. Unlike the first census at Sinai, this list reflects a generation disciplined by wilderness wanderings yet preserved for inheritance. Every clan named in this roll would receive a proportionate share in the land (Numbers 26:52-56). The Malchielites therefore stood among the faithful remnant destined to occupy Asher’s allotment on the Mediterranean coast. Inheritance in Canaan Joshua 19:24-31 details Asher’s territorial boundaries, extending from Carmel northward toward Tyre and Sidon. While the text does not assign towns to individual clans, the principle of internal distribution guaranteed the Malchielites parcels within this fertile, maritime strip. Jacob’s blessing—“From Asher his food will be rich, and he shall yield royal delicacies” (Genesis 49:20)—and Moses’ benediction—“May Asher be the most blessed of the sons; may he be favored by his brothers and dip his foot in oil” (Deuteronomy 33:24,25)—thus became the inheritance of families like the Malchielites who cultivated the region’s fruitful soil and profitable olive groves. Continuity through the Monarchy and Exile Although later historical books focus on larger tribal and national developments, the Chronicler’s interest in Asherite genealogies (1 Chronicles 7) indicates that clans such as the Malchielites maintained their identity into the united monarchy period. Their survival into post-exilic times is not explicitly documented, yet Ezra and Nehemiah record returning groups from every northern tribe (Ezra 8:35), suggesting that faithful descendants of Asherite clans, possibly including Malchielites, joined the restoration community. Theological Reflections 1. Covenant Faithfulness. The single mention of the Malchielites in the census underscores the LORD’s commitment to fulfill His promises to every family within Israel, no matter how small (Exodus 6:7). Lessons for Today • God’s eye is on the faithful remnant; no lineage devoted to Him is overlooked. Forms and Transliterations הַמַּלְכִּיאֵלִֽי׃ המלכיאלי׃ ham·mal·kî·’ê·lî hammalkî’êlî hammalkieLiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Numbers 26:45 HEB: לְמַ֨לְכִּיאֵ֔ל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַמַּלְכִּיאֵלִֽי׃ NAS: the family of the Malchielites. KJV: the family of the Malchielites. INT: of Malchiel the family of the Malchielites 1 Occurrence |
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