What does מַלְכוּ (malĕkû) mean in the Bible?
מַלְכוּ (malĕkû): Abstract kingly authority exercised over a realm; sovereignty as both the right to rule and its concrete expression.
Hebrew · H4437
מַלְכוּ
Dominion (abstractly or concretely)
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
מַלְכוּH4437
Pronunciationmalĕkû
What does מַלְכוּ (malĕkû) mean in the Bible?
מַלְכוּ (malĕkû): Abstract kingly authority exercised over a realm; sovereignty as both the right to rule and its concrete expression.
Full entry for מַלְכוּ (H4437) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H4437?
The BSB source-word alignment has 57 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include kingdom (8), the kingdom (5), over the kingdom (4), His kingdom (3), in the kingdom (3).
Where does מַלְכוּ (malĕkû) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Ezra 4:24. Its strongest book concentrations include Daniel (53), Ezra (4).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itkingdom8×Daniel 2:39, Daniel 2:40, Daniel 2:41, Daniel 4:3
the kingdom5×Daniel 5:31, Daniel 6:1, Daniel 6:4, Daniel 7:18
over the kingdom4×Daniel 4:17, Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:32, Daniel 5:21
His kingdom3×Daniel 4:3, Daniel 6:26, Daniel 7:27
in the kingdom3×Daniel 5:7, Daniel 5:16, Daniel 5:29
of my kingdom3×Daniel 4:18, Daniel 4:36, Daniel 6:26
of the reign2×Ezra 4:24, Ezra 6:15
sovereignty2×Daniel 2:37, Daniel 5:18
-1×Daniel 6:1
. . .1×Daniel 4:29
[it]1×Daniel 2:44
a kingdom1×Daniel 2:44
and His kingdom1×Daniel 4:34
and His kingdom is one1×Daniel 7:14
and kingship1×Daniel 7:14
and the reign1×Daniel 6:28
as a royal1×Daniel 4:30
during the reign1×Daniel 6:28
his royal1×Daniel 5:20
in my kingdom1×Ezra 7:13
in your kingdom1×Daniel 5:11
it1×Daniel 7:18
kingdoms1×Daniel 2:44
means that your kingdom1×Daniel 5:28
my throne1×Daniel 4:36
so this kingdom1×Daniel 2:42
that the kingdom1×Daniel 4:31
the days of your reign1×Daniel 5:26
the kingdoms1×Daniel 7:27
the other kingdoms1×Daniel 7:23
the realm1×Ezra 7:23
the royal1×Daniel 6:7
Then the sovereignty1×Daniel 7:27
this kingdom1×Daniel 7:24
your kingdom1×Daniel 4:26
Show sample aligned rows
Ezra 4:24לְמַלְכ֖וּתtoof the reignPreposition-l | Noun - feminine singular constructEzra 6:15לְמַלְכ֖וּתtoof the reignPreposition-l | Noun - feminine singular constructEzra 7:13בְּמַלְכוּתִי֩toin my kingdomPreposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singularEzra 7:23מַלְכ֥וּתtothe realmNoun - feminine singular constructDaniel 2:37מַלְכוּתָ֥אtosovereigntyNoun - feminine singular determinateDaniel 2:39מַלְכ֥וּtokingdomNoun - feminine singularDaniel 2:39וּמַלְכ֨וּtokingdomConjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singularDaniel 2:40וּמַלְכוּ֙tokingdomConjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singularDaniel 2:41מַלְכ֤וּtokingdomNoun - feminine singularDaniel 2:42מַלְכוּתָא֙toso this kingdomNoun - feminine singular determinate
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowEzra 4:24
Aligned rows57
Books represented2
Ezra4Daniel53
Source forms
בְּמַלְכ֣וּת5xbə·mal·ḵūṯDaniel 4:17, Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:32, Daniel 5:21
בְמַלְכוּתָ֖א2xḇə·mal·ḵū·ṯāDaniel 5:7, Daniel 5:16
וּמַלְכוּתֵ֖הּ2xū·mal·ḵū·ṯêhDaniel 4:34, Daniel 7:14
לְמַלְכ֖וּת2xlə·mal·ḵūṯEzra 4:24, Ezra 6:15
מַלְכ֤וּ2xmal·ḵūDaniel 2:41, Daniel 7:23
מַלְכ֣וּת2xmal·ḵūṯDaniel 4:3, Daniel 7:27
מַלְכוּתָא֙2xmal·ḵū·ṯāDaniel 2:42, Daniel 7:18
מַלְכוּתָ֑א2xmal·ḵū·ṯāDaniel 5:31, Daniel 6:4
Parsing patterns
Noun - feminine singular determinate14xDaniel 2:37, Daniel 2:42, Daniel 4:29, Daniel 4:31
Noun - feminine singular5xDaniel 2:39, Daniel 2:41, Daniel 2:44, Daniel 4:30
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct5xDaniel 4:17, Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:32, Daniel 5:21
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular4xDaniel 4:18, Daniel 4:36, Daniel 6:26
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular3xDaniel 2:39, Daniel 2:40, Daniel 7:14
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular3xDaniel 4:34, Daniel 6:26, Daniel 7:14
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular determinate3xDaniel 2:44, Daniel 7:22, Daniel 7:27
Noun - feminine singular construct3xEzra 7:23, Daniel 4:3, Daniel 7:27
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Abstract kingly authority exercised over a realm; sovereignty as both the right to rule and its concrete expression.
Source Gloss
dominion (abstractly or concretely)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Abstract kingly authority exercised over a realm; sovereignty as both the right to rule and its concrete expression.
dominion (abstractly or concretely) BDB: royalty Usage: kingdom, kingly, realm, reign.
Word Origins
מַלְכוּ is built from this root:
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.