נָבָל (na.val)

na.val

Nabal

H5037 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 18 verses

N:N-M-P

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 18 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Nabal comes from a Hebrew root meaning "fool" or "senseless." In the Bible, it is not merely an intellectual deficit but describes moral stupidity and reckless behavior. The most famous bearer of this name appears in 1 Samuel 25 as a wealthy landowner in Carmel who insults King David’s messengers with arrogant cruelty.

His character serves as a stark contrast to his wife Abigail, whose wisdom and humility save the household from disaster. Nabal’s story illustrates how foolishness can lead to self-destruction; he dies suddenly after realizing the danger of his actions, leaving his property to Abigail, who then marries David.

Because the name defines such a negative trait, it is rarely used as a personal name elsewhere in Scripture. It functions primarily as a literary label for a specific type of person: one who has wealth but lacks wisdom and fear of God.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Nabal comes from a Hebrew root meaning "fool," but this is not about low intelligence. It describes a moral blindness where wealth and power replace wisdom and fear of God. In 1 Samuel 25, we see a man who has everything yet lacks the humility to recognize kindness or respect authority. His story warns us that arrogance isolates us from grace and leads to self-destruction.

Contrast this with Abigail, his wife, whose wisdom and quick action prevent disaster. She does not share his folly but responds with grace. This word reminds us that true foolishness is not a lack of knowledge but a refusal to listen to God and others. It invites us to examine our own hearts: do we respond to conflict with pride or with humility?

May you find wisdom in your relationships, choosing grace over arrogance, and humility over pride.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 18 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Nabal17×
to/ Nabal1×
like/ Nabal1×
from/ Nabal1×
[was] Nabal1×
[is] Nabal1×

Forms in the text

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

נָבָ֖ל4×
נָבָ֔ל4×
נָבָ֥ל2×
נָבָ֣ל2×
נָבָ֗ל2×
נָבָל֙1×
נָבָל֒1×
נָבָ֡ל1×
נָבָ֜ל1×
נָבָ֛ל1×
מִ/נָּבָ֔ל1×
לְ/נָבָ֛ל1×

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Nabal mean?

The name Nabal comes from a Hebrew root meaning "fool" or "senseless." In the biblical context, it refers to moral stupidity and reckless behavior rather than intellectual disability. It describes someone who acts without wisdom or fear of God.

Why is Nabal considered foolish in the Bible?

Nabal is called foolish because he responds to David’s messengers with arrogance and cruelty, despite having received protection from his men. His wealth did not bring him wisdom or gratitude, leading to his downfall. This illustrates how pride can blind a person to reality and grace.

How is Nabal different from Abigail?

Abigail is described as intelligent and beautiful, acting with wisdom and humility to prevent disaster. While Nabal reacts with pride and insults, Abigail responds with respect and quick action. Their contrast highlights the difference between foolish arrogance and wise humility.

Where does Nabal appear in Scripture?

Nabal appears primarily in 1 Samuel 25, where his story is told. He is also mentioned later as the husband of Abigail, who becomes one of David’s wives in 1 Samuel 27, 30, and 2 Samuel 2 and 3.

Every Occurrence (18 verses across 2 books)

I Samuel 16 verses

I Samuel 25:3

Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail. This woman was intelligent and had a beautiful…

I Samuel 25:4

David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep.

I Samuel 25:5

David sent ten young men; and David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name.

I Samuel 25:9

When David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal all those words in the name of David, and waited.

I Samuel 25:10

Nabal answered David’s servants and said, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants who break…

I Samuel 25:14

But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saying, “Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to…

I Samuel 25:19

She said to her young men, “Go on before me. Behold, I am coming after you.” But she didn’t tell her husband, Nabal.

I Samuel 25:25

Please don’t let my lord pay attention to this worthless fellow, Nabal, for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his…

I Samuel 25:26

Now therefore, my lord, as Yahweh lives and as your soul lives, since Yahweh has withheld you from blood guiltiness and…

I Samuel 25:34

For indeed, as Yahweh the God of Israel lives, who has withheld me from harming you, unless you had hurried and come to…

I Samuel 25:36

Abigail came to Nabal; and behold, he held a feast in his house like the feast of a king. Nabal’s heart was merry…

I Samuel 25:37

In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things; and his heart died within him, and…

I Samuel 25:38

About ten days later, Yahweh struck Nabal, so that he died.

I Samuel 25:39

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed is Yahweh, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the…

I Samuel 27:3

David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam…

I Samuel 30:5

David’s two wives were taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

II Samuel 2 verses