אָכִישׁ (a.khish)
a.khish
Achish
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Achish identifies a Philistine ruler of Gath during the era of Israel’s United Monarchy. First appearing in 1 Samuel 21, he is the king who receives David when the future leader flees from Saul. The sources note that this figure is also referred to as Abimelech in Psalm 34:1, suggesting a title or dynastic name used by successive rulers of Gath rather than a single individual’s personal name alone.
Etymologically, the name carries meanings such as "I will blacken" or "only a man," reflecting either a threatening demeanor or perhaps a humble self-designation common in Philistine culture. This duality mirrors the narrative tension in Samuel, where David must navigate the dangerous hospitality of a foreign sovereign who both protects and suspects him.
Achish appears across sixteen verses, primarily in 1 Samuel and 1 Kings, marking his significance as a recurring political figure in the biblical account. His interactions with David highlight the complex diplomatic landscape Israel faced, where survival often depended on cunning and divine providence rather than military strength.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Achish appears in the biblical record as a Philistine king who offered David shelter during his most vulnerable years. This historical figure represents the complex reality of living under foreign rule, where survival often depended on navigating dangerous political waters. For believers today, this narrative reminds us that God’s protection does not always mean immediate deliverance from difficult circumstances, but rather sustenance through them.
David’s time with Achish illustrates how faithfulness can look like quiet endurance and strategic wisdom rather than bold confrontation. The king of Gath provided a temporary refuge, yet his suspicions kept David in a state of constant uncertainty. This tension encourages us to trust God’s timing even when our surroundings feel hostile or unstable.
Ultimately, the account shows that human alliances are fragile, but divine providence remains steady. Whether we find ourselves in positions of safety or exile, the example of David invites us to rely on God’s guidance rather than the approval of those who hold power over us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Achish17×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אָכִ֥ישׁ3×
- אָכִ֔ישׁ3×
- אָכִישׁ֙2×
- אָכִֽישׁ\׃2×
- אָכִ֜ישׁ2×
- אָכִ֗ישׁ2×
- אָכִישׁ֮1×
- אָכִ֛ישׁ1×
- אָכִ֖ישׁ1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 27:6
Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: therefore Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this day.
This verse establishes the political significance of Achish by noting that Ziklag remained associated with the kings of Judah, highlighting how David’s temporary refuge had lasting territorial implications.
-
I Samuel 27:12
Achish believed David, saying, “He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him. Therefore he will be my servant forever.”
Here Achish expresses his belief that David has alienated himself from Israel, revealing the king’s trust in David’s deception and the precarious nature of their diplomatic relationship.
-
I Samuel 29:9
Achish answered David, “I know that you are good in my sight, as an angel of God. Notwithstanding, the princes of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’
Achish acknowledges David’s integrity by comparing him to an angel of God, yet he is forced to reject him due to pressure from other Philistine leaders, showing the limits of his authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Achish in the Bible?
Is Achish the same person as Abimelech?
Why did David stay with Achish?
Every Occurrence (16 verses across 2 books)
I Samuel 14 verses
David arose and passed over, he and the six hundred men who were with him, to Achish the son of Maoch, king of Gath.
I Samuel 27:3David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam…
I Samuel 27:5David said to Achish, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, let them give me a place in one of the cities in the…
I Samuel 27:6Then Achish gave him Ziklag that day: therefore Ziklag belongs to the kings of Judah to this day.
I Samuel 27:9David struck the land, and saved no man or woman alive, and took away the sheep, the cattle, the donkeys, the camels,…
I Samuel 27:10Achish said, “Against whom have you made a raid today?” David said, “Against the South of Judah, against the South of…
I Samuel 27:12Achish believed David, saying, “He has made his people Israel utterly to abhor him. Therefore he will be my servant…
I Samuel 28:1In those days, the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. Achish said to David,…
I Samuel 28:2David said to Achish, “Therefore you will know what your servant can do.” Achish said to David, “Therefore I will make…
I Samuel 29:2The lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds and by thousands; and David and his men passed on in the rear with…
I Samuel 29:3Then the princes of the Philistines said, “What about these Hebrews?” Achish said to the princes of the Philistines,…
I Samuel 29:6Then Achish called David and said to him, “As Yahweh lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming…
I Samuel 29:8David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant so long as I have been before you to…
I Samuel 29:9Achish answered David, “I know that you are good in my sight, as an angel of God. Notwithstanding, the princes of the…