Abital
Abital in the Bible — wife (concubine?) of King David (2SA 3:4). Referenced in 3 scripture passages.
Name meaning: “the father of the dew; or of the shadow”
Profile
- Gender
- female
- Scripture References
- 3 references
- Known Names
- 1 name
- Relationships
- 2 connections
Biography
Abital was a female figure in the Old Testament known as one of King David's wives during his reign in Hebron. She is mentioned briefly in Scripture without additional details about her tribe or background. Her primary biblical significance is tied to her role as a wife of David and the mother of one of his sons.
Names & Titles
The name Abital means '[my] father is [the] night dew,' reflecting a Hebrew origin. This proper name is not indicated as being given directly by God, but it carries a poetic and meaningful designation as recorded in 2 Samuel 3:5.
Family
Scripture records Abital as one of King David's wives and the mother of Shephatiah, David's fifth son. Beyond these relationships, no further family connections are documented in the biblical text.
Significance
Abital's significance lies in her place among David's multiple wives during his early kingship in Hebron. She contributes to the genealogical record of David's descendants, highlighting the expansion of his family prior to his establishment of Jerusalem as the capital. Although little else is said about her, her mention underscores the historical and dynastic context of David's reign.
Key Events
Names & Labels (1)
- Hebrew
- אֲבִיטָל
- Transliteration
- abiytal
- Meaning
- [my] father is [the] night dew
- Greek
- Αβιταλ
- Reference
- 2SA 3:5
- Strong's
- H37
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Abital in the Bible?
Abital was a female figure in the Old Testament known as one of King David's wives during his reign in Hebron. She is mentioned briefly in Scripture without additional details about her tribe or background. Her primary biblical significance is tied to her role as a wife of David and the mother of one of his sons.
What does the name Abital mean?
The name Abital means “the father of the dew; or of the shadow” according to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary.