אֲבִיטָ֑ל (a.vi.tal)
a.vi.tal
Abital
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Abital, meaning “my father is dew,” identifies a woman who was one of King David’s wives and the mother of his son Shephatiah. This personal name appears in only two biblical passages: 2 Samuel 3:4 and 1 Chronicles 3:3. Both texts place her within the genealogical records of David’s family during the early United Monarchy period.
While the name itself carries a poetic image of refreshing moisture, the biblical text offers no narrative details about Abital’s life or character. She is mentioned solely for her role in establishing David’s lineage. The repetition of her name in Chronicles confirms the historical record of David’s household without adding new biographical information.
Translators consistently render this proper noun as “Abital,” preserving the original sound rather than translating the meaning. The brevity of her mention highlights how biblical genealogies often list family members to establish identity and continuity, even when their personal stories remain untold.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Abital is a name that appears only twice in Scripture, tucked quietly into the genealogical lists of King David’s family. The Hebrew meaning, “my father is dew,” evokes something gentle and refreshing. In the ancient Near East, dew was often a vital source of moisture for crops, symbolizing life and sustenance in dry lands.
Though we know little about Abital herself, her inclusion in these records reminds us that every person in God’s family history has value. These lists preserve identities that might otherwise be forgotten, showing that God cares about the details of human lineage. It is a quiet assurance that no one is overlooked in the grand story of redemption.
For you, this small detail can bring comfort. Even when your own story feels brief or unnoticed by the world, it is held securely in God’s memory. The same God who recorded these names values your presence and your place in His unfolding plan.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ Abital1×
- Abital1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/אֲבִיטָ֑ל1×
- אֲבִיטָֽל\׃1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 3:4
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
This verse identifies Abital as the mother of Shephatiah, placing her within the specific lineage of David’s sons during his reign in Hebron.
-
I Chronicles 3:3
the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife:
The Chronicler repeats this genealogical detail to confirm the historical continuity of David’s household and the legitimacy of his descendants.