Malcam
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [1]
MALCAM. 1. One of the heads of the fathers of Benjamin, and the son of Shaharaim and Hodesh ( 1 Chronicles 8:9 ). 2. In Zephaniah 1:6 Malcam is apparently the name of an idol, and might be rendered literally ‘their king,’ as in the margin of AV [Note: Authorized Version.] and RV [Note: Revised Version.] . Quite possibly, however, there is an error in the pointing of the Hebrew word, and it should be rendered Milcom (wh. see), the ‘abomination’ of the children of Ammon, and identical with Molech (cf. Isaiah 8:21 , Jeremiah 49:1-3 , and 1 Kings 11:5 ). See also art. Molech.
T. A. Moxon.
Easton's Bible Dictionary [2]
2 Samuel 12:30 Jeremiah 49:1,3 Zephaniah 1:5
Holman Bible Dictionary [3]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [4]
mal´kam ( מלכּם , malkām , "their king"; the King James Version Maleham ):
(1) A chief of the Benjamites, son of Shaharaim ( 1 Chronicles 8:9 ).
(2) The name of an idol as well as the possessive pronominal form of מלך , melekh , "king" ( 2 Samuel 12:30 the Revised Version margin; Jeremiah 49:1 , Jeremiah 49:3 Septuagint Melchól ); Zephaniah 1:5 ). In Amos 1:15 it appears to be best translated "their king," as in both the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American). Only a careful examination of the context can determine whether the word is the proper name of the idol (Moloch) or the 3rd personal possessive pronoun for king. The idol is also spelt "Milcom" and "Molech."
