Lexical Definition
אֲחִימֶלֶךְ ʼĂchîymelek (akh-ee-meh'-lek) Ahimelech N:N-M-P
from אָח and מֶלֶךְ; brother of (the) king
Ahimelech.
- § Ahimelech = "my brother is king" or "brother of Melek"
- Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite
1) a priest murdered by Doeg at Saul's command, for supposedly assisting David
2) a Hittite warrior under David
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| לַאֲחִימֶ֣לֶךְ | to Ahimelech | 1Sam.21.2 |
| לַאֲחִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ | of Ahimelech | 1Sam.22.20 |
| לַאֲחִימֶ֔לֶךְ | to Ahimelech | 1Sam.21.8 |
| אֲחִימֶֽלֶךְ | Ahimelech | Ps.52.1 |
| אֲחִימֶ֨לֶךְ | Ahimelech | 1Sam.22.11 |
| אֲחִימֶ֜לֶךְ | Ahimelech | 1Sam.21.1 |
| אֲחִימֶ֛לֶךְ | Ahimelech | 1Sam.22.14 • 1Sam.23.6 |
| אֲחִימֶ֖לֶךְ | Ahimelech | 1Sam.21.1 • 1Sam.22.9 |
| אֲחִימֶ֔לֶךְ | Ahimelech | 1Sam.30.7 |
| אֲחִימֶ֑לֶךְ | O Ahimelech | 1Sam.22.16 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.14.3
- son of: Ahitub (אֲחִיטוּב)
- father of: Abiathar (אֶבְיָתָר); also called Ahijah (KJV: Ahiah) at 1Sa.14.3, 18
- Also named: a.chiy.yah (אֲחִיָּ֫הוּ "Ahijah" אֲחִיָּה)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֲחִימֶ֫לֶךְ proper name, masculine (brother of Melek, Phoenician חמלך, חמלכת; see also אחיהו above)
1. priest in Saul's (David's) time 1Sam 21:2* (twice in verse); 1Sam 21:3*; 1Sam 21:9*; 1Sam 22:14; 1Sam 22:16 (אֲחִימֶ֑לֶךְ 1Chr 24:31; Ps 52:2* = (title); son of Ahitub 1Sam 22:9; 1Sam 22:11 (compare12); 1Sam 22:20 father of Abiathar 1Sam 23:6; 1Sam 30:7 so also 2Sam 8:17 ᵑ6 Ew We Th Dr; where ᵑ0 ׳בןאֿביתר אחימ; whence id. wrongly 1Chr 24:6, compare v1Chr 24:4 (מִבְּנֵי אִיתָמָר ׳אֲח) & 1Chr 18:16 (where read ׳אֲח for ׳אֲב).
2. a Hittite 1Sam 26:6.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| 1 Samuel | 21:2* · 21:3* · 21:9* · 22:9 · 22:11 · 22:14 · 22:16 · 22:20 · 23:6 · 26:6 · 30:7 |
| 2 Samuel | 8:17 |
| 1 Chronicles | 18:16 · 24:4 · 24:6 · 24:31 |
| Psalms | 52:2* |
Profile
Male • A High Priest • High Priest at Nob who helped David, killed by Saul
High Priest living at the time of United Monarchy
Ahimelech, the High Priest at Nob, gave David consecrated bread and Goliath's sword but was later killed by Saul for aiding David. (1Sa.21.1-9; 22.9-23)
- A High Priest living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.14.3;
- referred to as Ahimelech אֲחִימֶלֶךְ, or Ahijah (KJV= Ahiah) אֲחִיָּה;
- a son of Ahitub אֲחִיטוּב;
- father of Abiathar אֶבְיָתָר.
Ahimelech, also known as Ahijah, was the priest at Nob during the reign of King Saul. He was the son of Ahitub and the father of Abiathar. When David was fleeing from Saul, he came to Ahimelech at Nob seeking help. Ahimelech, unaware of the conflict between David and Saul, provided David with the consecrated bread and the sword of Goliath. (1Sa.21.1-9)
Doeg the Edomite, one of Saul's servants, witnessed this interaction and reported it to Saul. Saul summoned Ahimelech and the other priests, accusing them of conspiring with David against him. Despite Ahimelech's defense of his actions, Saul ordered the execution of the priests. Doeg carried out the order, killing Ahimelech and eighty-four other priests. (1Sa.22.9-19).
Abiathar, Ahimelech's son, was the only one who escaped the massacre. He fled to David and brought with him the ephod, a priestly garment used for seeking God's guidance. (1Sa.22.20-23; 23.6; 30.7)
The story of Ahimelech's tragic fate is also referenced in Psalm 52, which is attributed to David when Doeg informed Saul about Ahimelech's assistance to David. The psalm reflects on the consequences of those who trust in evil and contrasts them with those who trust in God's steadfast love. (Psa.52.1)
All entries for Ahimelech or Ahijah: אֲחִימֶלֶךְ ☩ אֲחִיָּה