The Hebrew mamlakah denotes the realm, dominion, or reign of a king — a kingdom as both territory and royal authority. Derived from the root malak (to reign), it appears about 117 times in the Old Testament. It is distinct from malkuth (which emphasizes the rule itself) though often used interchangeably.
The concept of mamlakah runs through the entire biblical narrative. Israel's request for a king (1 Samuel 8) introduces human monarchy, but God always remains the true King. The prophets anticipate a messianic mamlakah — the kingdom of God established through David's son (2 Samuel 7:12–16). This hope finds fulfillment in Jesus, whose kingdom is both present and coming (Matthew 4:17). The mamlakah of priests (Exodus 19:6) foreshadows the royal priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9).