Milcah is a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for her role within the patriarchal narratives of Genesis. Her account is interwoven with the early history of the Israelite people, and she is recognized as a matriarchal figure within the lineage of Abraham.

Family Lineage and Background

Milcah is introduced in the genealogical records of Genesis as the daughter of Haran, who was the brother of Abram (later Abraham) and Nahor. This makes Milcah the niece of Abraham. Her familial connections are further detailed in Genesis 11:29: "And Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah."

Milcah's marriage to Nahor, Abraham's brother, places her in a direct line of descent that is crucial to the unfolding narrative of the Israelite people. Through this union, Milcah becomes the mother of several children, most notably Bethuel, who is the father of Rebekah. Rebekah later becomes the wife of Isaac, Abraham's son, thus continuing the Abrahamic line.

Role and Significance

Milcah's role is primarily defined through her offspring, as her children and descendants play pivotal roles in the biblical narrative. Her son Bethuel is mentioned in Genesis 22:20-23, which lists the offspring of Nahor and Milcah: "Some time later Abraham was told, 'Milcah has also borne sons to your brother Nahor: Uz the firstborn, his brother Buz, Kemuel (the father of Aram), Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.' And Bethuel became the father of Rebekah."

Rebekah's marriage to Isaac is a key event in the Genesis narrative, as it ensures the continuation of the covenantal promises made by God to Abraham. Milcah, therefore, is an essential link in the chain of God's redemptive plan, as her descendants are integral to the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham.

Cultural and Theological Context

In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, genealogies and family connections were of utmost importance. Milcah's inclusion in these genealogies underscores her significance within the biblical narrative. Her account highlights the importance of family lineage in the transmission of faith and covenantal blessings.

Theologically, Milcah's role can be seen as part of God's providential plan to establish a chosen people through whom He would reveal Himself to the world. Her descendants, particularly through Rebekah, are instrumental in the unfolding of God's promises, demonstrating the faithfulness of God across generations.

Legacy

Milcah's legacy is preserved through the biblical record, where her name is mentioned in connection with the patriarchal family. Her life and lineage serve as a testament to the intricate ways in which God works through individuals and families to accomplish His divine purposes. As a matriarch, Milcah's account is a reminder of the vital role women played in the biblical narrative and in the history of God's people.Milcah

queen

Milcah

(queen or counsel).

1. Daughter of Haran and wife of her uncle Nahor, Abraham's brother, to whom she bore eight children. (Genesis 11:29; 22:20,23; 24:15,24,47)
2. The fourth daughter of Zelophehad. (Numbers 26:33; 27:1; 36:11; Joshua 17:3)

MILCAH

mil'-ka (milkah; Melcha):

(1) Daughter of Haran, wife of Nahor, and grandmother of Rebekah (Genesis 11:29; Genesis 22:20-23; 24:15, 24, 47).

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

4435. Milkah -- two Israelite women
... Milkah. 4436 . two Israelite women. Transliteration: Milkah Phonetic Spelling:
(mil-kaw') Short Definition: Milcah. ... women NASB Word Usage Milcah (11). Milcah. ...
/hebrew/4435.htm - 6k

Of the Era in Abraham's Life from which a New Period in the Holy ...
... And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the
name of Nahor's wife Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 12 of the era in.htm

How Rebekah Became the Wife of Isaac
... Tell me, I beg of you. Is there room in your father's house for us to spend the
night?" She answered, "I am the grand-daughter of Milcah and Nahor. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/how rebekah became the wife.htm

Chapter xi
... Now Abram and Nahor married: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of
Nahor's wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xi.htm

Why, in the Account of Terah's Emigration, on his Forsaking the ...
... and led them forth out of the region of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan;
and he came into Haran, and dwelt there." [890] Nahor and Milcah his wife ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 13 why in the account.htm

Chapter xxiv
... And it came to pass before he had finished speaking, that, behold, there came forth
Rebekah, who had been born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, wife of Nahor, the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxiv.htm

Chapter xxii
... 20. And it came to pass after these things that someone reported to Abraham:
Behold, Milcah, too, has born children to Nahor, thy brother. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxii.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... He had not fully finished these words with himself, but that Rebekah, daughter of
Bethuel, son of Milcah wife of Nahor, brother of Abraham, came out of the town ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

Milcah (10 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MILCAH. ... Multi-Version Concordance Milcah
(10 Occurrences). Genesis 11:29 Abram and Nahor took wives. ...
/m/milcah.htm - 10k

Nahor (18 Occurrences)
... He married Milcah, the daughter of his brother Haran, and remained in the land of
his nativity on the east of the river Euphrates at Haran (Genesis 11:27-32). ...
/n/nahor.htm - 13k

Bethuel (10 Occurrences)
... Man of God, or virgin of God, or house of God. (1.) The son of Nahor by Milcah;
nephew of Abraham, and father of Rebekah (Genesis 22:22, 23; 24:15, 24, 47). ...
/b/bethuel.htm - 11k

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)
... 26:33 Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of
the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. ...
/z/zelophehad.htm - 11k

Tirzah (17 Occurrences)
... 26:33 Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of
the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. ...
/t/tirzah.htm - 14k

Mahlah (5 Occurrences)
... 26:33 Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of
the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. ...
/m/mahlah.htm - 9k

Bethu'el (10 Occurrences)
... Bethuel.' (See RSV). Genesis 22:23 And Bethuel begot Rebekah; these eight did
Milcah bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother. (See RSV). Genesis 24 ...
/b/bethu'el.htm - 8k

Zeloph'ehad (8 Occurrences)
... the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph; and these are
the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah. ...
/z/zeloph'ehad.htm - 8k

Nahor's (4 Occurrences)
... The name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah,
the daughter of Haran who was also the father of Iscah. ...
/n/nahor's.htm - 7k

Iscah (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Spy, the daughter of Haran and sister of Milcah and Lot
(Genesis 11:29, 31). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ISCAH. ...
/i/iscah.htm - 7k

Who were the daughters of Zelophehad? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Haran in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the importance of the land of Uz in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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