the Berasit Hebrew Dictionary

מלאכ Melak is usually translated as work. (see Genesis 2:2-3) (as Strongnumber 4399)

Melak also shows up 105 times as 4397 “messenger”, with a very slightly different spelling מלך (which arguably could be pronounced 'melek' rather than 'melak'. Many of these instances are mistranslated as “angels”, supposedly because angels are the messengers of god. However, the root word melak clearly means work, not message.

In many cases where the word “message” appears in the English Old Testamant translations, there is actually no corresponding word in the original Hebrew text. The translators simply assumed from the context that a message was being sent. In general, not a bad assumption, but specifically, terrible practice when it comes to direct translation. A few such examples of this practice are in:

• 2 Kings 18:14
• 2 Kings 6:9-20
• 2 Kings 19:14-37

The root word for “message” is ספּר 'sefer', so clearly, 'melak' refers to a worker rather than a messenger specifically, although a messenger can certainly be classified as a type of worker.

Inexplicably 'melek' also gets translated as “king” rather than “messenger” or “angel”, even though the spelling and pronunciation are identical. This is justified under the guise of it being given a separate Strongnumber 4428. It is the same word though.

Both messengers and kings are a type of worker, so the words are manipulated according to context. In general, this should be avoided. It is best to stick to the original word. 'Melek' is work, and a 'melakim' is a worker, whether he be a king or a messenger, or anything in between. He is a person acting it an official duty as his job dictates.

But it gets weirder. The word is sometimes translated “foreskin”. See rel

In Genesis 1:7, a different word “ashi” is also used to indicate work. It seems that there are two different types of work being described. - audit ashi vs malak by context and type of work.

There is possibility that melak additionally may means a technology of some sort. In Psalm 91:11, the Melak is commanded to protect David (see also Psalm 34:7)