אֲבִישָׁלוֹם (a.vi.sha.lom)
a.vi.sha.lom
Absalom
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 85 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Absalom, also appearing as Abishalom, translates to "my father is peace." It belongs to two distinct figures in the Old Testament: the third son of King David and a later ancestor of Rehoboam. The biblical narrative reserves its most significant attention for David’s son, whose life story unfolds across many chapters of 2 Samuel.
Absalom was known for his striking appearance and political ambition. He orchestrated the death of his half-brother Amnon and subsequently led a military revolt against his own father, seeking to seize the throne. The sources highlight this tragic irony: a man named "father is peace" became the architect of civil war and familial destruction within David’s household.
His rebellion ended in failure and death, leaving a lasting mark on David’s reign. The name serves as a literary counterpoint to the chaos it produced, illustrating how personal ambition can unravel even the closest family bonds. This dual usage of the name connects the early United Monarchy with the later division of the kingdom.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Absalom means "my father is peace," yet his story in Scripture reveals a profound tragedy: the pursuit of self-justification often destroys the very relationships we claim to protect. As David’s son, he carried this hopeful name but chose a path of secrecy and revenge after his sister Tamar was harmed. Instead of seeking justice through proper channels or trusting his father’s heart, he plotted in silence, leading to violence that fractured his family.
His narrative serves as a sobering reminder that unresolved pain can harden into bitterness when we isolate ourselves from community and authority. Absalom’s two years of silent estrangement show how distance breeds resentment. His story invites us to examine our own responses to wrongs, urging us toward reconciliation rather than retaliation.
Ultimately, the contrast between his name and his actions highlights the human struggle to live out the peace we desire. It encourages believers to seek healing through transparency and humility, recognizing that true peace requires addressing wounds openly rather than letting them fester in the shadows.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 85 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Absalom77×
- to/ Absalom8×
- and/ Absalom8×
- Abishalom2×
- <to>/ Absalom2×
- for/ Absalom1×
- and/ like/ Absalom1×
- and/ [belonged] to/ Absalom1×
- <in>/ Absalom1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אַבְשָׁלוֹם֙12×
- אַבְשָׁל֑וֹם10×
- אַבְשָׁל֔וֹם9×
- אַבְשָׁל֖וֹם8×
- אַבְשָׁלֽוֹם\׃6×
- אַבְשָׁלֹ֔ם5×
- אַבְשָׁל֣וֹם4×
- אַבְשָׁל֗וֹם4×
- לְ/אַבְשָׁל֑וֹם3×
- אַבְשָׁל֨וֹם3×
- אַבְשָׁל֛וֹם3×
- לְ/אַבְשָׁלוֹם֙2×
Key Verses
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II Samuel 13:22
Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
This verse captures the turning point where Absalom’s grief transforms into silent hatred, showing how unresolved trauma can lead to destructive intent.
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II Samuel 14:24
The king said, “Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, and didn’t see the king’s face.
Here, Absalom returns to Jerusalem but is barred from seeing the king, illustrating the painful reality of partial reconciliation that leaves relational wounds unhealed.
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II Samuel 13:28
Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “Mark now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, ‘Strike Amnon,’ then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Haven’t I commanded you? Be courageous, and be valiant!”
Absalom’s command to kill Amnon reveals how carefully planned vengeance can override moral boundaries, driven by a twisted sense of familial duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Absalom mean?
Why did Absalom rebel against his father David?
How is Absalom different from other biblical figures named Abishalom?
Every Occurrence (85 verses across 4 books)
II Samuel 77 verses
and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the…
II Samuel 13:1After this, Absalom the son of David had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
II Samuel 13:4He said to him, “Why, son of the king, are you so sad from day to day? Won’t you tell me?” Amnon said to him, “I love…
II Samuel 13:20Absalom her brother said to her, “Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your…
II Samuel 13:22Absalom spoke to Amnon neither good nor bad; for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
II Samuel 13:23After two full years, Absalom had sheep shearers in Baal Hazor, which is beside Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the…
II Samuel 13:24Absalom came to the king and said, “See now, your servant has sheep shearers. Please let the king and his servants go…
II Samuel 13:25The king said to Absalom, “No, my son, let’s not all go, lest we be burdensome to you.” He pressed him; however he…
II Samuel 13:26Then Absalom said, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” The king said to him, “Why should he go with you?”
II Samuel 13:27But Absalom pressed him, and he let Amnon and all the king’s sons go with him.
II Samuel 13:28Absalom commanded his servants, saying, “Mark now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I tell you, ‘Strike…
II Samuel 13:29The servants of Absalom did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded. Then all the king’s sons arose, and every man got up on…
II Samuel 13:30While they were on the way, the news came to David, saying, “Absalom has slain all the king’s sons, and there is not…
II Samuel 13:32Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother, answered, “Don’t let my lord suppose that they have killed all the young…
II Samuel 13:34But Absalom fled. The young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming…
II Samuel 13:37But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihur, king of Geshur. David mourned for his son every day.
II Samuel 13:38So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
II Samuel 13:39King David longed to go out to Absalom, for he was comforted concerning Amnon, since he was dead.
II Samuel 14:1Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king’s heart was toward Absalom.
II Samuel 14:21The king said to Joab, “Behold now, I have granted this thing. Go therefore, and bring the young man Absalom back.”
II Samuel 14:23So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
II Samuel 14:24The king said, “Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house,…
II Samuel 14:25Now in all Israel there was no one to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty. From the sole of his foot even to…
II Samuel 14:27Three sons were born to Absalom, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar. She was a woman with a beautiful face.
II Samuel 14:28Absalom lived two full years in Jerusalem, and he didn’t see the king’s face.
II Samuel 14:29Then Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. Then he sent again a second time,…
II Samuel 14:30Therefore he said to his servants, “Behold, Joab’s field is near mine, and he has barley there. Go and set it on fire.”…
II Samuel 14:31Then Joab arose and came to Absalom to his house, and said to him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
II Samuel 14:32Absalom answered Joab, “Behold, I sent to you, saying, ‘Come here, that I may send you to the king, to say, “Why have I…
II Samuel 14:33So Joab came to the king and told him; and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his…
II Samuel 15:1After this, Absalom prepared a chariot and horses for himself, and fifty men to run before him.
II Samuel 15:2Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate. When any man had a suit which should come to the king for…
II Samuel 15:3Absalom said to him, “Behold, your matters are good and right; but there is no man deputized by the king to hear you.”
II Samuel 15:4Absalom said moreover, “Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any suit or cause might come to…
II Samuel 15:6Absalom did this sort of thing to all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men…
II Samuel 15:7At the end of forty years, Absalom said to the king, “Please let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed to Yahweh, in…
II Samuel 15:10But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then…
II Samuel 15:11Two hundred men went with Absalom out of Jerusalem, who were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they didn’t…
II Samuel 15:12Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he was offering the…
II Samuel 15:13A messenger came to David, saying, “The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.”
II Samuel 15:14David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, “Arise! Let’s flee, or else none of us will escape from…
II Samuel 15:31Someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” David said, “Yahweh, please turn the…
II Samuel 15:34but if you return to the city, and tell Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king. As I have been your father’s servant…
II Samuel 15:37So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.
II Samuel 16:8Yahweh has returned on you all the blood of Saul’s house, in whose place you have reigned! Yahweh has delivered the…
II Samuel 16:15Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
II Samuel 16:16When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, had come to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live…
II Samuel 16:17Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your kindness to your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend?”
II Samuel 16:18Hushai said to Absalom, “No; but whomever Yahweh and this people and all the men of Israel have chosen, I will be his,…
II Samuel 16:20Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, “Give your counsel what we shall do.”
II Samuel 16:21Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father’s concubines that he has left to keep the house. Then all Israel will…
II Samuel 16:22So they spread a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight…
II Samuel 16:23The counsel of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if a man inquired at the inner sanctuary of God. All the…
II Samuel 17:1Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David…
II Samuel 17:4The saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
II Samuel 17:5Then Absalom said, “Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let’s hear likewise what he says.”
II Samuel 17:6When Hushai had come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, “Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he…
II Samuel 17:7Hushai said to Absalom, “The counsel that Ahithophel has given this time is not good.”
II Samuel 17:9Behold, he is now hidden in some pit, or in some other place. It will happen, when some of them have fallen at the…
II Samuel 17:14Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.”…
II Samuel 17:15Then Hushai said to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, “Ahithophel counseled Absalom and the elders of Israel that way;…
II Samuel 17:18But a boy saw them, and told Absalom. Then they both went away quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim, who…
II Samuel 17:20Absalom’s servants came to the woman to the house; and they said, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman said to…
II Samuel 17:24Then David came to Mahanaim. Absalom passed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him.
II Samuel 17:25Absalom set Amasa over the army instead of Joab. Now Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Ithra the Israelite, who…
II Samuel 17:26Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead.
II Samuel 18:5The king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” All the…
II Samuel 18:9Absalom happened to meet David’s servants. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of…
II Samuel 18:10A certain man saw it, and told Joab, and said, “Behold, I saw Absalom hanging in an oak.”
II Samuel 18:12The man said to Joab, “Though I should receive a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I still wouldn’t stretch out my…
II Samuel 18:14Then Joab said, “I’m not going to wait like this with you.” He took three darts in his hand and thrust them through…
II Samuel 18:15Ten young men who bore Joab’s armor surrounded and struck Absalom, and killed him.
II Samuel 18:17They took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the forest, and raised over him a very great heap of stones. Then…
II Samuel 18:18Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the pillar which is in the king’s valley, for he said,…
II Samuel 18:29The king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, even me…
II Samuel 18:32The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” The Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my…
II Samuel 20:6David said to Abishai, “Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your lord’s servants…