Lexical Definition

‎נְבָט‎ Nᵉbâṭ (neb-awt') Nebat ^N:N-M-P
from ‎נָבַט‎; regard

Nebat.

• § Nebat = "aspect"
• Nebat, the father of Jeroboam I

1) an Ephraimite of Zereda, father of king Jeroboam I of the northern kingdom of Israel

Extended Information

• A man of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.11.26 married to Zeruah (צְרוּעָה)
• father of: Jeroboam (יָרׇבְעָם)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎נְבָט‎ proper name, masculine father of Jeroboam I (compare Sabean ‎נבט‎, ‎נבטאל‎, see ‎נָבַט‎ above); — only in phrase ‎יָָֽרָבְעָם בֶּןנְֿבָט‎ 1Kgs 11:26; 1Kgs 12:2; 1Kgs 12:15; 1Kgs 15:1; 1Kgs 16:3; 1Kgs 16:26; 1Kgs 16:31; 1Kgs 21:22; 1Kgs 22:53*; 2Kgs 3:3; 2Kgs 9:9; 2Kgs 10:29; 2Kgs 13:2; 2Kgs 13:11; 2Kgs 14:24; 2Kgs 15:9; 2Kgs 15:18; 2Kgs 15:24; 2Kgs 15:28; 2Kgs 17:21; 2Kgs 23:15; 2Chr 9:29; 2Chr 10:2; 2Chr 10:15; 2Chr 13:6. ᵐ5 Ναβαθ, Ναβατ.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Male • Father of Jeroboam • Father of Jeroboam, the first king of Israel.

Man living at the time of United Monarchy

Nebat was the father of Jeroboam I, who became the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the monarchy.

• A man of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.11.26;
• only referred to as Nebat נְבָט;
• husband of Zeruah צְרוּעָה;
• father of Jeroboam יָרׇבְעָם.

Nebat is mentioned in the Old Testament as the father of Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Although little is known about Nebat himself, his son Jeroboam played a significant role in the history of Israel and is frequently referred to as "Jeroboam son of Nebat" throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles.

Nebat was an Ephraimite from the town of Zeredah (1 Kings 11:26). His son Jeroboam was a skilled and capable man who caught the attention of King Solomon and was appointed as an overseer of the forced labor from the house of Joseph (1 Kings 11:28).

However, Jeroboam later rebelled against Solomon and fled to Egypt for protection (1 Kings 11:26-40). After Solomon's death, Jeroboam returned and led the northern tribes in a revolt against Solomon's son, Rehoboam, resulting in the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12:1-20; 2 Chronicles 10:1-19).

As king of the northern kingdom, Jeroboam established a new religious system, setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan to prevent his people from going to Jerusalem to worship (1 Kings 12:25-33). This act became known as the "sin of Jeroboam," and it had a lasting impact on the spiritual decline of the northern kingdom (1 Kings 13:33-34; 14:16; 15:30, 34; 16:2, 19, 26).

Throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles, subsequent kings of Israel are often compared to Jeroboam son of Nebat, with many of them following in his sinful ways (1 Kings 15:34; 16:26; 22:52; 2 Kings 3:3; 10:29; 13:2, 11; 14:24; 15:9, 18, 24, 28). This recurring phrase serves as a reminder of the lasting consequences of Jeroboam's actions and the spiritual decline that characterized the northern kingdom.

Although Nebat himself is not the focus of the biblical narrative, his mention as the father of Jeroboam serves to provide context for Jeroboam's background and to emphasize the significance of his son's role in the history of Israel. Nebat's inclusion in the story also highlights the importance of family lineage and the impact that one's actions can have on future generations.

All entries for Nebat: נְבָט

Related Profiles:

• Zeruah (spouse)
• Jeroboam (child)