The meaning of “אֲבִימֶלֶךְ”
Understanding ʼĂbîymelek reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
Abimelech. - § Abimelech = "Melek is father" or "my father is king" - Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of ...
אֲבִימֶלֶךְ
Abimelech. - § Abimelech = "Melek is father" or "my father is king" - Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites 1) king of Gerar in Abraham's time 2) king of Gath in David's time; maybe title of Philistine kings 3) son of Gideon by a concubine 4) priest, son of Abiathar
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 21:25 | “And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.” Word: אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek) | |
| Judges 9:34 | “And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.” Word: אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek) | |
| 2 Samuel 11:21 | “Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.” Word: אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek) | |
| 1 Chronicles 18:16 | “And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;” Word: אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek) | |
| Psalms 34:1 | “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Word: אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek) |