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) |
|---|---|---|
| וַאֲחִימֶ֥לֶךְ | and Ahimelech | 2Sam.8.17 |
| וַאֲחִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ | and Ahimelech | 1Chr.24.6 |
| וַאֲחִימֶ֖לֶךְ | and Ahimelech | 1Chr.24.3 |
| וַאֲחִימֶ֔לֶךְ | and Ahimelech | 1Chr.24.31 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17
- son of: Abiathar (אֶבְיָתָר)
- brother of: Jonathan (יְהוֹנָתָן)
- Also named: a.vi.me.lekh (אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ "Ahimelech" אֲבִימֶלֶךְ)
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 priest • Son of Abiathar, a priest during David's reign
Priest living at the time of United Monarchy
Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, served as a priest during the reign of King David. (2Sa.8.17; 1Ch.18.16)
- A priest living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17;
- son of Abiathar (H0054);
- brother of Jonathan (H3083I);
- called Ahimelech אֲחִימֶלֶךְ; or Ahimelech (KJV= Abimelech; NIV= Ahimelek) אֲבִימֶלֶךְ
Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, was a priest who served during the reign of King David. He is mentioned alongside Zadok, another prominent priest, suggesting that they held important positions in the priestly hierarchy. (2Sa.8.17; 1Ch.18.16)
In the context of organizing the priestly divisions, Ahimelech is listed among the descendants of Ithamar, one of Aaron's sons. The priests were divided into groups to carry out their duties in the tabernacle and later in the temple. (1Ch.24.3,6).
Ahimelech's father, Abiathar, had a significant role in David's life, supporting him during his flight from Saul and later serving as a priest and advisor to David. (1Sa.22.20-23; 2Sa.15.24-29)
Although not much is recorded about Ahimelech's specific actions, his position as a priest during David's reign indicates that he played a role in the religious life of Israel and in serving the king.
All entries for Ahimelech: אֲחִימֶלֶךְ ☩ אֲבִימֶלֶךְ