אֲבִימָאֵל (a.vi.ma.el)
a.vi.ma.el
Abimael
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Abimael appears only twice in Scripture, recorded as a son of Joktan and a brother to figures like Sheba and Ophir (Genesis 10:28; 1 Chronicles 1:23). Its meaning is straightforward: "my father is El," with El referring to God. This structure places him within the genealogical lists of Shem’s descendants, linking him to the early post-Flood history.
While the text offers no narrative details about his life, the name itself reflects a common ancient Near Eastern pattern of invoking divine protection or identity. The sources note its similarity to South Arabian names, suggesting cultural connections across regions. As a member of a large family, Abimael represents the continuity of lineage rather than individual action in the biblical record.
His inclusion highlights the importance of ancestry in Genesis and Chronicles. These lists serve to map the spread of peoples after the Flood. Abimael’s name, like those of his brothers, preserves a memory of faith and family within a broader historical framework.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Abimael means "my father is El," with El referring to God. This simple phrase reflects a common ancient practice of invoking divine identity within family names. In Genesis and Chronicles, Abimael appears as part of the genealogies tracing Shem’s descendants after the Flood.
Though we have no personal stories about him, his inclusion reminds us that every name in these lists matters. These records preserve the memory of families and their faith across generations. They show how God’s people continued to spread and grow, even in early history.
For you, this means your own story is part of a larger narrative. Just as Abimael’s name was kept alive in Scripture, so too are the names of those who came before you. Your faith connects you to a long line of believers who trusted God across time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Abimael2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲבִימָאֵ֖ל1×
- אֲבִֽימָאֵ֖ל1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 10:28
Obal, Abimael, Sheba,
This verse lists Abimael among Joktan’s sons, showing his place in the post-Flood family tree.
-
I Chronicles 1:22
Ebal, Abimael, Sheba,
The parallel list confirms Abimael’s inclusion in the chronicler’s record of Shem’s descendants.