Milcah מִלְכָּה

Female Early Patriarch H4435G 1 book

Wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother.

Who is Milcah in the Bible?

Milcah was the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, and the daughter of Haran, making her the sister of Lot (Genesis 11:29). She and Nahor had eight children together, including Bethuel, who fathered Rebekah (Genesis 22:20,23). Milcah's significance in biblical history lies primarily in her role as the grandmother of Rebekah, who became Isaac's wife and mother of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 24:15,24,47). When Abraham's servant traveled to find a bride for Isaac, he recognized God's hand in meeting Rebekah, Milcah's granddaughter, at the well in the city of Nahor, confirming that God had guided him to the right family. Through Milcah's lineage, the covenant promise given to Abraham continued unbroken to the next generation.

Biography

Milcah is mentioned in the book of Genesis as the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother (Gen.11.29). She was the daughter of Haran, who was also the father of Lot (Gen.11.29). Milcah and Nahor had eight children together, including Bethuel, who became the father of Rebekah (Gen.22.20,23). When Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, the servant traveled to the city of Nahor and encountered Rebekah at the well (Gen.24.15). Upon learning that Rebekah was the granddaughter of Milcah and Nahor, the servant recognized this as a sign of God's guidance and provision (Gen.24.24,47). Milcah's family played a significant role in the continuation of Abraham's lineage, as Rebekah became Isaac's wife and the mother of Jacob and Esau.

Family

In Scripture

1 biblical book ; 1 with study content
Genesis 5 verses
  • Genesis 11:29

    "And Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. Abram’s wife was named Sarai, and Nahor’s wife was named Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, who was the father of both Milcah and Iscah."

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  • Genesis 22:20

    "Some time later, Abraham was told, “Milcah has also borne sons to your brother Nahor:"

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  • Genesis 22:23

    "And Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. Milcah bore these eight sons to Abraham’s brother Nahor."

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  • Genesis 24:15

    "Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor."

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  • Genesis 24:24

    "She replied, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.”"

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Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew מִלְכָּה
Encyclopedia Article

Milcah

ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)

(2) Daughter of Zelophehad (Nu 26:33; 27:1; 36:11; Jos 17:3). Many recent authorities are of opinion that Milcah is an abbreviation of Bethmilcah, and is a geographical rather than a personal name.

mil'-kom, mil'-kom. See MOLECH.

mil'-du (yeraqon; Septuagint usually ikteros, literally, "jaundice"): In the 5 passages where it occurs it is