אִישׁ־בֹ֫שֶׁת (ish-bo.shet)
ish-bo.shet
Ish-bosheth
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Ish-bosheth refers to the son of Saul who ruled over Israel for seven years while David reigned in Judah. The Hebrew components translate literally to "man of shame," a striking title for a king. This name appears ten times in Scripture, primarily within the narrative of 2 Samuel as it details the political struggle between the house of Saul and the rising power of David.
Lexical sources note that this individual was also known by the name Eshbaal, which means "man of Baal." The shift from a theophoric name invoking the Canaanite deity Baal to one meaning "shame" likely reflects a later editorial tradition. Scribes may have altered the name to avoid pronouncing the sacred or pagan divine element, substituting it with a term that highlighted the downfall of Saul’s dynasty.
Despite holding the throne, Ish-bosheth is portrayed as a figure overshadowed by David and his own internal instability. His reign ends abruptly when two captains murder him in his sleep, presenting his head to David. The text uses this name to mark the end of the Saulic line, emphasizing that true kingship belonged to David’s house rather than the "man of shame."
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Ish-bosheth literally means “man of shame,” a title that stands in stark contrast to the dignity expected of a king. This shift from his original name, Eshbaal, likely reflects an editorial choice to highlight the downfall of Saul’s dynasty rather than honor the Canaanite deity Baal. In the narrative, he serves as a figure overshadowed by David, illustrating how human political power can crumble when it lacks divine stability.
For readers today, this account offers a sobering reminder that earthly authority is fragile and temporary. While Ish-bosheth held the throne for two years, his reign was marked by internal conflict and ended in betrayal. The text uses his story to emphasize that true leadership belongs to God’s chosen path, not merely to human ambition or inheritance.
His life invites reflection on the consequences of pride and the instability that comes when one relies solely on human strength. Rather than finding hope in status or power, we are pointed toward the enduring faithfulness of God’s promises, which outlast any earthly kingdom.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- bosheth11×
- Ish-10×
- and/ for/ Ish-1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אִֽישׁ\־7×
- בֹּ֙שֶׁת֙3×
- בֹּ֥שֶׁת2×
- בֹּ֣שֶׁת2×
- בֹּ֗שֶׁת2×
- אִ֣ישׁ2×
- וּ/לְ/אִ֥ישׁ1×
- בֹּ֔שֶׁת1×
- בֹּ֑שֶׁת1×
- אִ֥ישׁ1×
Key Verses
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II Samuel 2:10
Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.
This verse establishes the brief duration and limited scope of his reign, contrasting his two years in Israel with David’s lasting rule over Judah.
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II Samuel 3:8
Then Abner was very angry about Ishbosheth’s words, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show kindness to your father Saul’s house, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and yet you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman!
Here, Abner’s anger reveals the internal fractures within Saul’s house, showing how quickly loyalty can dissolve into conflict.
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II Samuel 4:5
The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went out and came at about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth as he took his rest at noon.
The detail of him resting at noon highlights his vulnerability and the suddenness with which his life was taken.
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II Samuel 4:8
They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life! Yahweh has avenged my lord the king today of Saul and of his offspring.”
The assassins present his head as a trophy, framing his death as divine vengeance but ultimately failing to secure their own safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is he called Ish-bosheth instead of Eshbaal?
How long did Ish-bosheth reign?
What role does Abner play in Ish-bosheth’s story?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 1 books)
II Samuel 10 verses
Now Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul’s army, had taken Ishbosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim.
II Samuel 2:10Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house…
II Samuel 2:12Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon.
II Samuel 2:15Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of David’s…
II Samuel 3:8Then Abner was very angry about Ishbosheth’s words, and said, “Am I a dog’s head that belongs to Judah? Today I show…
II Samuel 3:14David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Deliver me my wife Michal, whom I was given to marry for one…
II Samuel 3:15Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, Paltiel the son of Laish.
II Samuel 4:5The sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went out and came at about the heat of the day to the house of…
II Samuel 4:8They brought the head of Ishbosheth to David to Hebron, and said to the king, “Behold, the head of Ishbosheth, the son…
II Samuel 4:12David commanded his young men, and they killed them, cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up beside the…