מְפִיבֹשֶׁת (me.phi.vo.shet)
me.phi.vo.shet
Mephibosheth
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 Mephibosheth means "exterminating the idol" or "shameless one," reflecting a theological stance against Baal worship. It appears ten times in the Old Testament, primarily within the historical narratives of 2 Samuel, where it identifies the grandson of King Saul and son of Jonathan.
He is best known for his physical disability, having been crippled as a child when his nurse dropped him during the flight from Saul’s death (2 Samuel 4:4). Despite being a potential rival to David’s throne, he received the king’s enduring favor. David restored Saul’s land to him and invited him to eat at the royal table for life, honoring his covenant with Jonathan.
The name also applies to another descendant of Saul, son of Rizpah, who was executed by Gibeonites during David’s reign (2 Samuel 21:8). In 1 Chronicles, this later figure is called Merib-baal, showing how royal names shifted over time. The distinction helps readers track the complex lineage of Israel’s first king.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Mephibosheth carries a heavy history, yet it points to a profound truth about grace. He was born with a disability and lived in the shadow of his grandfather’s failed kingdom, making him an unlikely candidate for honor. Yet King David did not see a rival or a burden; he saw the son of his friend Jonathan. This story reminds us that God’s covenant love often extends to those who seem powerless or forgotten by the world.
David restored Mephibosheth’s land and invited him to eat at the royal table every day. This was not earned through merit but given freely because of a promise made long ago. For your faith, this offers comfort: you are valued not for your strength or status, but because of who loves you. Like Mephibosheth, you may feel limited by your past or present circumstances, but God’s kindness invites you to sit at His table with dignity and peace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ Mephibosheth3×
- -bosheth3×
- Mephibosheth2×
- Mephi-2×
- of/ Mephibosheth1×
- and/ [belonged] to/ Mephibosheth1×
- [was] Mephibosheth1×
- [belonged] to/ Mephi-1×
- O Mephibosheth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְפִי\־2×
- וּ/מְפִיבֹ֗שֶׁת2×
- בֹ֖שֶׁת2×
- מְפִיבֹֽשֶׁת\׃1×
- מְפִיבֹ֨שֶׁת1×
- מְפִיבֹ֔שֶׁת1×
- מְפִבֹ֑שֶׁת1×
- לִ/מְפִיבֹֽשֶׁת\׃1×
- לִ/מְפִי\־1×
- וּ/מְפִיבֹ֙שֶׁת֙1×
- וְ/לִ/מְפִיבֹ֥שֶׁת1×
- בֹ֑שֶׁת1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 9:6
Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, fell on his face, and showed respect. David said, “Mephibosheth?” He answered, “Behold, your servant!”
This verse captures the moment Mephibosheth approaches David with fear, expecting judgment, yet is met with recognition and grace instead.
-
II Samuel 9:11
Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” So Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table like one of the king’s sons.
Here the text highlights that Mephibosheth ate at the king’s table like one of the king’s sons, illustrating his restored status and daily provision.
-
II Samuel 21:7
But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of Yahweh’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
This occurrence explains the theological basis for David’s kindness: he spared Mephibosheth because of the oath between David and Jonathan, showing that covenant loyalty outlasts political danger.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Mephibosheth mean?
Is there more than one Mephibosheth in the Bible?
Why did David treat Mephibosheth with such kindness?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 1 books)
II Samuel 10 verses
Now Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news came about Saul and…
II Samuel 9:6Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, fell on his face, and showed respect. David said,…
II Samuel 9:10Till the land for him—you, your sons, and your servants. Bring in the harvest, that your master’s son may have bread to…
II Samuel 9:11Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so your servant will do.” So…
II Samuel 9:12Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. All who lived in Ziba’s house were servants to Mephibosheth.
II Samuel 9:13So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. He was lame in both his feet.
II Samuel 16:1When David was a little past the top, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of donkeys…
II Samuel 16:4Then the king said to Ziba, “Behold, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.” Ziba said, “I bow down. Let me find…
II Samuel 21:7But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of Yahweh’s oath that was between them,…
II Samuel 21:8But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bore to Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the…