אֲחִימֶ֫לֶךְ (a.chi.me.lekh)

a.chi.me.lekh

Ahimelech

H0288 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 12 verses

N:N-M-P

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 12 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Ahimelech means "my brother is king" or "brother of Melek." It appears twelve times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the narratives of 1 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. The most prominent figure bearing this title was a priest at Nob during the reign of Saul. He is the son of Ahitub and the father of Abiathar, forming a key link in the priestly lineage that would later serve under King David.

Ahimelech’s story centers on his encounter with David while the future king was fleeing from Saul. Despite the danger, Ahimelech provided David with sacred bread and Goliath’s sword, an act that led to his execution by Doeg the Edomite at Saul’s command. This tragic event highlights the peril faced by those who supported David during his rise to power.

Interestingly, 1 Samuel 22:20 refers to this same priest as Ahijah, suggesting a possible variation in name or title usage within the text. Another individual named Ahimelech appears later as a Hittite warrior under David’s command (2 Samuel 23:36), showing that while the name is rare, it was not exclusive to the priestly line.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Ahimelech means "my brother is king," a title that carries both weight and risk in Scripture. It belongs primarily to the priest at Nob who stood firm when King Saul demanded loyalty over conscience. When David, fleeing for his life, sought help, Ahimelech did not hesitate to provide sacred bread and protection, even though it cost him everything.

His story reminds us that faithfulness often comes with a price. He chose to support God’s anointed rather than fear the current ruler, trusting that doing right was more important than staying safe. This choice led to tragedy, but it also preserved the priestly line through his son Abiathar, who continued to serve David.

For us today, Ahimelech illustrates the courage required when our loyalties are tested. It invites reflection on where we stand when pressure mounts, encouraging a trust that values obedience to God above human approval or personal security.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Ahimelech6×
and/ Ahimelech4×
of/ Ahimelech1×
O Ahimelech1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

אֲחִימֶ֛לֶךְ2×
לַ/אֲחִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙1×
וַ/אֲחִימֶ֥לֶךְ1×
וַ/אֲחִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙1×
וַ/אֲחִימֶ֖לֶךְ1×
וַ/אֲחִימֶ֔לֶךְ1×
אֲחִימֶ֨לֶךְ1×
אֲחִימֶ֣לֶךְ1×
אֲחִימֶ֖לֶךְ1×
אֲחִימֶ֔לֶךְ1×
אֲחִימֶ֑לֶךְ1×

Key Verses

I Samuel 22:9
Then Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, answered and said, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

This verse identifies Ahimelech as the priest at Nob, setting the stage for his encounter with David and Doeg’s betrayal.
I Samuel 22:14
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, “Who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, captain of your body guard, and honored in your house?

Ahimelech defends David’s loyalty to Saul, showing his moral courage in facing the king’s wrath directly.
I Samuel 22:16
The king said, “You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house.”

Saul’s death sentence against Ahimelech highlights the deadly cost of supporting David and standing against unjust authority.
I Samuel 30:7
David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” Abiathar brought the ephod to David.

Ahimelech’s son Abiathar carries the ephod to David, showing how the priestly line survived the tragedy to continue serving God’s purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Ahimelech mean?

The name Ahimelech translates to "my brother is king" or "brother of Melek." It appears in several contexts within the Hebrew Bible, primarily associated with the priest at Nob who supported David.

Why was Ahimelech killed?

Ahimelech was executed because he provided sacred bread and Goliath’s sword to David, who was fleeing from King Saul. Saul viewed this as treason, leading to the massacre of Ahimelech and his family at the hands of Doeg the Edomite.

Is there another person named Ahimelech in the Bible?

Yes, 2 Samuel 23:36 mentions a Hittite warrior named Ahimelech who served under David. This shows that while the name is rare and often associated with the priestly line, it was not exclusive to them.

How does Ahimelech relate to Abiathar?

Abiathar was Ahimelech’s son. After his father’s death, Abiathar escaped and became a key priest in David’s court, preserving the priestly lineage that would later influence the division of priests under Solomon.

Every Occurrence (12 verses across 3 books)

I Samuel 8 verses

I Samuel 22:9

Then Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, answered and said, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to…

I Samuel 22:11

Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests who were in…

I Samuel 22:14

Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, “Who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king’s…

I Samuel 22:16

The king said, “You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house.”

I Samuel 22:20

One of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David.

I Samuel 23:6

When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, he came down with an ephod in his hand.

I Samuel 26:6

Then David answered and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother of Joab, saying, “Who…

I Samuel 30:7

David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Please bring the ephod here to me.” Abiathar brought the…

II Samuel 1 verse

I Chronicles 3 verses