אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ (a.vi.me.lekh)
a.vi.me.lekh
Abimelech
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 61 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Abimelech, meaning "my father is king" or "father of the king," appears in the Hebrew Bible as both a personal name and likely a title for Philistine rulers. It identifies several distinct figures across different eras, including the king of Gerar who interacted with Abraham and Isaac, and another ruler in Gath during David’s time.
Lexical sources note that this title may have functioned similarly to royal honorifics in neighboring cultures, such as the Persian "Padishah." The repetition of the name among different kings suggests it was a common designation for Philistine leadership rather than a unique identifier for a single individual. This usage highlights the political structures of the ancient Near East, where titles often carried more weight than personal names.
The name also appears in Israelite history, referring to Gideon’s son who sought power through violence and to a priestly official under David. These varied references show how the same term could apply to both foreign monarchs and internal figures, reflecting the complex interplay between Israel and its neighbors during the patriarchal and monarchical periods.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Abimelech appears in Scripture as both a personal identity and a royal title among the Philistines. This dual usage reminds us that God interacts with people across different cultures and political systems. Whether addressing Abraham, Isaac, or Gideon’s son, God remains sovereign over earthly rulers.
In Genesis 20, Abimelech unknowingly takes Sarah, yet God protects her through a dream. This shows that divine providence works even when human leaders act in ignorance. Similarly, in Judges, the name marks a tragic rise to power driven by ambition. These accounts invite us to trust God’s justice and mercy, regardless of who holds authority.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 61 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Abimelech50×
- and/ Abimelech5×
- to/ Abimelech4×
- [is] Abimelech2×
- with/ Abimelech1×
- of/ Abimelech1×
- in/ Abimelech1×
- from/ Abimelech1×
- against/ Abimelech1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ9×
- אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ7×
- אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ7×
- אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ6×
- אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ\׃4×
- אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ4×
- אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙4×
- אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ3×
- אֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ3×
- לַ/אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ2×
- וַ/אֲבִימֶ֕לֶךְ2×
- בַּ/אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ\׃2×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 20:3
But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken; for she is a man’s wife.”
God warns Abimelech directly in a dream, showing divine intervention even with non-Israelite rulers.
-
Genesis 21:22
At that time, Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do.
Abimelech acknowledges God’s presence with Abraham, recognizing divine favor despite their covenant dispute.
-
Genesis 26:9
Abimelech called Isaac, and said, “Behold, surely she is your wife. Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die because of her.’”
Abimelech confronts Isaac about deceiving him regarding Rebekah, mirroring the earlier incident with Sarah.
-
Judges 9:1
Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying,
This verse introduces Abimelech as Gideon’s son, highlighting a shift from divine leadership to human ambition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Abimelech mean?
Is Abimelech one person or multiple people?
Why does Abimelech appear in both Genesis and Judges?
Every Occurrence (61 verses across 4 books)
Genesis 23 verses
Abraham said about Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
Genesis 20:3But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman…
Genesis 20:4Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation?
Genesis 20:8Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ear. The men were…
Genesis 20:9Then Abimelech called Abraham, and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have…
Genesis 20:10Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you see, that you have done this thing?”
Genesis 20:14Abimelech took sheep and cattle, male servants and female servants, and gave them to Abraham, and restored Sarah, his…
Genesis 20:15Abimelech said, “Behold, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you.”
Genesis 20:17Abraham prayed to God. So God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, and they bore children.
Genesis 20:18For Yahweh had closed up tight all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
Genesis 21:22At that time, Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you…
Genesis 21:25Abraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.
Genesis 21:26Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this thing. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear of it until today.”
Genesis 21:27Abraham took sheep and cattle, and gave them to Abimelech. Those two made a covenant.
Genesis 21:29Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs, which you have set by themselves, mean?”
Genesis 21:32So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Abimelech rose up with Phicol, the captain of his army, and they returned into…
Genesis 26:1There was a famine in the land, in addition to the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to…
Genesis 26:8When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold,…
Genesis 26:9Abimelech called Isaac, and said, “Behold, surely she is your wife. Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to…
Genesis 26:10Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you…
Genesis 26:11Abimelech commanded all the people, saying, “He who touches this man or his wife will surely be put to death.”
Genesis 26:16Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”
Genesis 26:26Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his friend, and Phicol the captain of his army.