אֲבִיטוּב (a.vi.tuv)
a.vi.tuv
Abitub
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Abitub appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, recorded in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles 8:11. It identifies a man from the tribe of Benjamin during the period of the Divided Monarchy, serving as a link in the lineage that connects the early tribal leaders to later generations.
Linguistically, the name combines two common Hebrew elements: avi, meaning "my father," and tuv, meaning "goodness" or "good." This structure creates a personal declaration of faith, essentially translating to "my father is good." Such theophoric names were typical in ancient Israel, embedding theological affirmation into family identity.
While Abitub himself is not a narrative figure with recorded deeds, his inclusion in the chronicler’s list highlights the importance of preserving tribal heritage. The text notes he was the son of Shaharaim and brother to several other sons, illustrating how these records functioned to maintain the memory of Benjaminite families within the broader history of Israel.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Abitub means "my father is good." It appears in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles, linking a man named Abitub to his father Shaharaim and his brother Elpaal. This simple declaration reflects a deep trust in God's character. In ancient Israel, names often carried prayers or confessions of faith. By naming his son Abitub, Shaharaim expressed gratitude for God's goodness.
While we may not know much about Abitub's life, his presence in Scripture reminds us that every generation matters. God remembers the faithful and keeps His promises across time. These records show that ordinary people play a part in God's larger story. Their lives contribute to the lineage through which God works.
When we read these names, we are invited to see ourselves in this long line of believers. Each person was known by God and included in His plan. This encourages us to trust that our lives also have meaning in His eyes. We can take comfort in knowing that God values each individual and their place in history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Abitub1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲבִיט֖וּב1×
Key Verses
-
I Chronicles 8:11
By Hushim, he became the father of Abitub and Elpaal.
This verse places Abitub within the tribe of Benjamin, showing how genealogies preserved tribal identity during the Divided Monarchy.