How to Say "King of Kings" in Hebrew

מלך המלכים

mélekh ha-m'lakhím

The Hebrew phrase for "king of kings" is מלך המלכים (mélekh ha-m'lakhím).

This phrase refers to a king who has other kings as his subjects.

Meaning: king who has other kings as subjects (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of mélekh (king) and ha-m'lakhím (the kings).

The phrase uses the definite article ha- attached to the second noun to indicate 'the' kings.

mélekh ha-m'lakhím

While the phrase sounds grand and royal, in modern Hebrew, using such high-register terminology in casual conversation would often be interpreted as irony or sarcasm.
The term is historically significant in Hebrew literature as it is often used to describe a deity rather than a human monarch.
The word מלך shares a root with the Hebrew word for 'reign' or 'rule', meaning that in Hebrew, a 'king' is linguistically defined by the act of ruling rather than by a title or crown.

הַמֶּלֶךְ שֶׁל הַמַּלְכִּים הוּא הָאָדוֹן עַל כָּל הָאֲדֹנִים
The King of Kings is the Lord over all the Lords.
השיר מדבר על מלך המלכים.
ha-shir meda-ber al melekh ha-melakhim.
The song talks about the king of kings.
הוא רצה להיות מלך המלכים.
hu ra-tza li-hyot melekh ha-melakhim.
He wanted to be the king of kings.

Two students are discussing a history book in a library.

עגור Adi

דניאל, מי זה מלך המלכים?
Daniel, mi ze melekh ha-melakhim?
Daniel, who is the king of kings?
דניאל Daniel

זה תואר למנהיג של ממלכות רבות.
Ze to'ar le-manhig shel mamlakhot rabot.
It is a title for a leader of many kingdoms.
עגור Adi

זה נשמע כמו תואר מאוד חזק.
Ze nishma kmo to'ar me'od khazak.
That sounds like a very powerful title.
דניאל Daniel

כן, מלך המלכים שולט בכולם.
Ken, melekh ha-melakhim sholelet be-kulam.
Yes, the king of kings rules them all.

Sources

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