עַכְבּוֹר (akh.bor)
akh.bor
Achbor
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun akhbor literally means "mouse," a small, often unwanted creature in the ancient Near East. In Scripture, this word appears only seven times, functioning exclusively as a proper name rather than describing the animal itself. The sources identify two distinct individuals who bear this unusual title.
The first is an Edomite ruler mentioned in Genesis 36:38. He is listed among the kings of Edom and serves as the father of Baal-hanan. This usage places him in the distant era of the Patriarchs, long before the establishment of the Israelite monarchy.
The second figure appears in the historical books during the reign of King Josiah. Identified as the son of Michaiah, he is one of the officials sent to consult the prophetess Huldah regarding the newly discovered Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:12). Chronicles refers to him as Abdon, suggesting that akhbor and abdon may be variant forms or nicknames for the same courtier. The choice of a name meaning "mouse" for such high-ranking officials remains a striking linguistic detail in these biblical records.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Akhbor appears in Scripture as a reminder that God’s record-keeping is thorough, even for figures who seem to have little impact on the main narrative. In Genesis, it marks an Edomite king, showing that history includes nations outside Israel, yet all are known to God. This detail invites us to see our own lives as part of a larger, divine story where every person and place has significance.
In later books, Akhbor appears as a royal official during King Josiah’s reforms. He was sent to seek the Lord’s word through the prophetess Huldah when the Book of the Law was found. This moment highlights how ordinary leaders can play crucial roles in spiritual renewal. It encourages us that our faithful service, even in small ways, contributes to God’s work in our communities and times.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Achbor6×
- and/ Achbor1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַכְבּֽוֹר\׃2×
- עַכְבּוֹר֒1×
- עַכְבּ֨וֹר1×
- עַכְבּ֜וֹר1×
- עַכְבּ֛וֹר1×
- וְ/עַכְבּ֜וֹר1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 36:38
Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.
This verse identifies Akhbor as an Edomite king, showing that the name was used for rulers outside Israel, reminding us that God knows all nations.
-
II Kings 22:14
So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and they talked with her.
Here Akhbor joins others to consult Huldah, demonstrating how ordinary officials can be part of pivotal moments of spiritual discovery and reform.