Seek First the Kingdom of God | Hebrew Meaning of Matthew 6:33

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” —Matthew 6:33

Defining God in Hebrew: Elohim

In Hebrew, Elohim has the root word El, which means “God/mighty” or “strong.” Adding the im at the end indicates the plurality—the triune nature—of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Therefore, Elohim means “The Mighty One” or “All-Powerful God.”

Yeshua instructed us to seek first the Kingdom of God—the Kingdom of Elohim—the Kingdom of our Triune God who is our Creator, Judge, Redeemer, King, Truth, and Sovereign Ruler. 

Elohim describes God’s character, revealing His majesty, authority, and divine completeness—the fullness of His power and presence over all creation—and first appears in Genesis 1:1.

• “In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth.”

When we seek the Kingdom of God—the Kingdom of Elohim—we are seeking God’s divine rule: His sovereign reign over Heaven, earth, and every area of our lives. 

Jewish Concept of “Kingdom”

In Jewish thought, as reflected throughout Scripture, God’s Kingdom is understood as the real, active expression of His sovereign rule and reign over humanity and creation. 

• “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.” —Psalm 103:19

Israel was called to live under God’s rule, being a light and showing the nations what it meant to serve a holy King (Deuteronomy 7:6). Though human kings came later, God was always Israel’s true King. The prophets foretold a coming Messiah who would restore God’s righteous Kingdom on earth:

• “For unto us a Child is born… and the government shall be upon His shoulder.” —Isaiah 9:6–7

Defining Kingdom in Hebrew: Malchut

To understand the Kingdom of God in Matthew 6:33, start where Yeshua’s first listeners began: the Jewish understanding of malchut—God’s royal reign and dominion made visible (Psalm 22:28). Malchut is the Hebrew word for kingdom. 

In Yeshua’s time, a “kingdom” wasn’t a theoretical idea; it was practical, real, concrete. 

Malchut comes from the word malak, which means “to  rule with dominion.” It was a real order of life on the earth: real people, real policies, real government, real outcomes. 

Kings and kingdoms could be godly or ungodly. When a king ruled through exploitation, fear, and self-protection, the whole land and people felt it. Poverty and oppression were evident.

When a king governed in alignment with God’s wisdom—justice, mercy, and covenant faithfulness—life increased. Provision multiplied and safety expanded. Shalom took root.

Yeshua arrived on the scene proclaiming: “…the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe…” (Mark 1:15). The Kingdom of God had arrived. And it was time to repent (teshuvah), return to the Lord, and seek Him and His rule first! 

The Kingdom was not merely to come someday; it was not simply spiritual. It was near, breaking in, and available on earth—now.  

The Tension Felt in the Kingdom 

Here’s the tension: Yeshua says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God,” because the Kingdom is inaugurated—and yet not fully completed.

He is King and enthroned. But not everyone recognizes His reign and rule, and not every system and mountain of influence reflects His ways. We live in the overlap of the kingdoms of this world, ungodly kingdoms ruled by injustice and oppression, and the Kingdom of God calling us forward into divine destiny.

In our human logic, it would be easier to love others in a world where they love us back, or to walk in faith when we know the outcomes. But in our broken world, fear is persuasive. The enemy uses fear to frustrate us. And when we take the bait, we forfeit the blessings promised and forget the instruction He gives us. 

Fear tells us to take matters into our own hands. Faith tells us to trust God and His promise even in the face of fear.  

True love casts out fear; true love refuses to negotiate with it (1 John 4:18). 

Acts 2: A Picture of Seeking First the Kingdom 

Acts 2 provides a prophetic glimpse of seeking first the Kingdom of God—a community living as if the Kingdom is true, even while still within a dangerous world. 

The first Believers weren’t naive. They were filled with Holy Spirit confidence. They were anchored in truth, determined to be dedicated to God, prayed, and practiced radical generosity. They started living their Kingdom destiny now.

This is why Paul reminds us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

To walk in Kingdom destiny now, we must be anchored in the truth of who God is and who we are in Yeshua. God’s reign will be as tangible on earth as it is in Heaven.

“And All These Things Will Be Added to You.”

When Yeshua says, “All these things will be added to you,” He’s speaking about food and drink and clothing—everyday symbols of provision, fullness, and life.

Notice the prophetic nature of the statement: “will be.” Not necessarily quickly. Not necessarily conveniently. But definitely true. 

Many people look to others and systems for provision. But the “others” and “systems” of this world are broken. God’s Kingdom is the only Kingdom that can deliver on the promise of provision, because He is King over all Kingdoms. 

Yes—many will feel unmet needs. He dignifies our real needs, even voicing His own in Gethsemane: “Let this cup pass.” Yet He submits His life to the Father’s will: “Not My will, but Yours.” That is what it looks like to seek first the Kingdom in a broken world.

A Prophetic Invitation: Breaking off the Broken Systems

Seeking first the Kingdom means letting God expose the lies that build human systems and empires—lies that justify neglect, dehumanization, and violence. It means trusting God to come through on His promises, believing that aligning with His Kingdom is what we were created for, and that the King will finish what He started.

As trust takes root, something breaks:

• We stop competing for status and scarcity.
• We stop exhausting ourselves to control what only God can secure.
• We stop living for the approval of man and start believing we have God’s approval through Yeshua. 

The more we practice Kingdom habits and patterns, the more we step into freedom—an unshakable understanding that deepest danger has already been defeated.

Paul could proclaim, “Death, where is your sting?”—because faith in the King had become stronger than fear.

Seeking the Kingdom Now

The Kingdom is formed from Believers in Yeshua who give and receive—who become a living witness that Heaven meets earth.  

The Word of God states there will be a day when we won’t need to seek the Kingdom anymore because it will be fully here—no oppression, no tears, no death, no fear. Shalom completed. Heaven and earth made one.

So, let us seek, love, and share, practicing the future in the present.

Let us declare, “Your Kingdom come! The King is faithful!”