Lexical Definition
אַיָּה ʼAyâh (ah-yaw') Aiah N:N-M-P
the same as אַיָּה
Aiah, Ajah.
- § Aiah or Ajah = "falcon"
- Ajah, the name of two Israelites
1) a Horite, son of Zibeon
2) father of Rizpah, Saul's concubine
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| אַיָּה֙ | Aiah | 2Sam.21.8 |
| אַיָּ֨ה | Aiah | 2Sam.21.10 |
| אַיָּ֖ה | Aiah | 2Sam.21.11 |
| אַיָּ֑ה | Aiah | 2Sam.3.7 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.7
- father of: Rizpah (רִצְפָּה)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. אַיָּה proper name, masculine (falcon)
1. a Horite Gen 36:24; 1Chr 1:40.
2. father of Rizpah 2Sam 3:7; 2Sam 21:8; 2Sam 21:10; 2Sam 21:11.
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Genesis | 36:24 |
| 2 Samuel | 3:7 · 21:8 · 21:10 · 21:11 |
| 1 Chronicles | 1:40 |
Profile
Male • Saul's concubine • Father of Rizpah, Saul's concubine
Man living at the time of United Monarchy
Aiah was the father of Rizpah, who was a concubine of King Saul. (2Sa.3.7; 21.8)
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.3.7;
- only referred to as Aiah אַיָּה;
- father of Rizpah רִצְפָּה.
Aiah is mentioned in the Bible as the father of Rizpah, a concubine of King Saul. Rizpah had two sons with Saul, named Armoni and Mephibosheth. (2Sa.21.8)
After Saul's death, Abner, the commander of Saul's army, had relations with Rizpah, which was considered a challenge to the authority of Saul's son and successor, Ish-bosheth. This led to a conflict between Abner and Ish-bosheth. (2Sa.3.7).
Later, during the reign of King David, a famine struck Israel for three years. The Lord revealed that it was due to Saul's bloodguilt against the Gibeonites. To make amends, David handed over seven of Saul's descendants, including Rizpah's two sons, to the Gibeonites, who killed them. (2Sa.21.1-9)
Rizpah then took sackcloth and spread it on a rock, guarding the bodies of her sons and the other five men from the beginning of harvest until the rains came. She protected them from scavenger birds during the day and wild animals at night. (2Sa.21.10)
When David heard about Rizpah's actions, he was moved and ordered the retrieval of the bones of Saul, Jonathan, and the seven men who had been killed. They were buried in the tomb of Saul's father, Kish, and after that, God answered the prayers for the land. (2Sa.21.11-14)
Aiah's daughter, Rizpah, demonstrated remarkable courage, loyalty, and maternal love in her actions, which ultimately led to the proper burial of Saul and his descendants.
All entries for Aiah: אַיָּה
Related Profiles:
- Rizpah (child)