The meaning of “מָלֵא”
Understanding mâlêʼ reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
or מָלָא mâlâʼ (mawlaw'); (Esther 7:5), a primitive root accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expi...
מָלֵא
or מָלָא mâlâʼ (mawlaw'); (Esther 7:5), a primitive root accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly. - to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) 1) to fill, be full 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be full 1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle) 1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended 1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied 1b2) to be accomplished, be ended 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to fill 1c2) to satisfy 1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete 1c4) to confirm 1d) (Pual) to be filled 1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 25:24 | “And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.” Word: מָלֵא (mâlêʼ) | |
| Judges 17:5 | “And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.” Word: מָלֵא (mâlêʼ) | |
| 2 Chronicles 7:2 | “And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.” Word: מָלֵא (mâlêʼ) | |
| Ecclesiastes 8:11 | “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Word: מָלֵא (mâlêʼ) | |
| Daniel 10:3 | “I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Word: מָלֵא (mâlêʼ) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Fulfill
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: To fill, fulfill, complete
The Hebrew male (מָלֵא) means to fill or fulfill—bringing something to completion. Prophecy is fulfilled when God's word is accomplished: 'that the word of the LORD might be fulfilled' (2 Chronicles 36:21).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: To fulfill, complete, fill
The Greek pleroo (πληρόω) means to fulfill or fill up. Jesus declared 'I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil' (Matthew 5:17). Scripture records repeatedly 'that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet.'