1 Chronicles 18:16 — Word Study
WLCוְצָד֧וֹק בֶּן־ אֲחִיט֛וּב וַאֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ בֶּן־ אֶבְיָתָ֖ר כֹּהֲנִ֑ים וְשַׁוְשָׁ֖א סוֹפֵֽר׃
BSAZadokTsâdôwq [a righteous and faithful high priest] sonbên of AhitubʼĂchîyṭûwb [my brother is good, a priestly descendant] and AhimelechʼĂbîymelek [my father is king, a priest in Israel] sonbên of AbiatharʼEbyâthâr [my father is abundant, a faithful follower of David] were priestskôhên [spiritual leaders, mediators between God and man] ShavshaShavshâʼ△ [a royal scribe, recorder of events] [was] the scribeçâphar [one who recounts, writes and preserves history]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְצָד֧וֹק | and Zadok | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| בֶּן־ | [the] son of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| אֲחִיט֛וּב | Ahitub | Noun proper masculine |
| וַאֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ | and Abimelech | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| בֶּן־ | [the] son of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| אֶבְיָתָ֖ר | Abiathar | Noun proper masculine |
| כֹּהֲנִ֑ים | [were] priests | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| וְשַׁוְשָׁ֖א | and Shavsha | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| סוֹפֵֽר׃ | [was the] scribe | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe; |
| KJV | And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe; |
| ASV | and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe; |
| YLT | and Zadok son of Ahitub, and Abimelech son of Abiathar, [are] priests, and Shavsha [is] scribe, |
| WEB | Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was scribe; |
| BBE | And Zadok, the son of Ahitub; and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was the scribe; |
Where they part company is כֹּהֲנִ֑ים — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses identify the priests and the scribe, clearly delineating their roles.
4 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Ellicott, AdamClarke, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
subjectשַׁוְשָׁא
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 9 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Chronicles 18:16
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — David's Administrationgenerated
1 Chronicles 18:16 describes key figures during King David's reign, highlighting their roles as spiritual leaders and administrators. Zadok and Ahimelech served as priests, mediating between God and the people, while Shavsha acted as the royal scribe, responsible for documenting events. This structure emphasizes the importance of religious and administrative leadership in ancient Israel, as seen in other passages like 2 Samuel 8:17 and 1 Kings 2:35.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 8:17 | Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe; |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 20:25 | Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; |
| 3 | 1 Kings 2:35 | And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 8:17 | Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe; |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 20:25 | Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — כֹּהֲנִ֑ים, ko.ha.Nimgenerated
The Hebrew word כֹּהֵן (kohen) means 'priest' and refers to those who serve in religious capacities, particularly in the context of the Israelite worship system. The parsing indicates that it is a masculine plural noun, suggesting multiple priests, which aligns with the context of the verse where Zadok and Ahimelech are identified as priests.
In this verse, the term emphasizes the role of these individuals as spiritual leaders and mediators between God and the people of Israel, crucial for maintaining the religious practices and rituals of the time.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb כֹּהֲנִ֑ים governs the subject of the sentence, which includes the names of the priests and the scribe. The structure is straightforward, listing the individuals and their roles without complex subordination.
The order of the names emphasizes the significance of Zadok and Ahimelech as the priests, with Shavsha following as the scribe, indicating their respective roles in the administration of David's kingdom.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates כֹּהֵן as ἱερεῖς, which also means 'priests'. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, maintaining the focus on their religious duties.
The consistent rendering in the LXX indicates that the role of priests was well understood in the Greek-speaking Jewish community, reflecting the importance of these figures in both the Hebrew and Greek traditions.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Chronicles 18:16 lists Zadok and Ahimelech as priests during King David's reign, highlighting their roles in leading worship. Shavsha is mentioned as the scribe, responsible for recording events. This verse underscores the importance of these leaders in the spiritual and administrative life of Israel.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Zadok and Ahimelech were priests who served during King David's reign, playing significant roles in Israel's religious leadership.
A scribe, like Shavsha, was responsible for recording events and maintaining historical records in ancient Israel.
These roles were crucial for the governance and worship practices of Israel, ensuring that religious laws and traditions were upheld.
This verse connects to other accounts of David's administration and the priesthood, as seen in passages like 2 Samuel 8:17.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn from the leadership roles of Zadok and Ahimelech in our own communities?
- How does the role of a scribe compare to modern record-keeping or documentation?
- In what ways can we ensure that our spiritual leaders are supported in their roles?
- How does understanding the historical context of these figures enhance our reading of the Scriptures?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 18:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe; Abimelech - elsewhere Ahimelech (cf.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 18 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) Zadok, of the line of Eleazar (1 Chronicles 6:4-8). (Comp. 1 Chronicles 12:28; 1 Chronicles 16:39; 2 Samuel 8:17; 2 Samuel 15:24; 2 Samuel 19:11; 1 Kings 1:8; 1 Kings 4:4.) Abimelech the son of Abiathar.—Read Ahimelech the son of Abiathar. Samuel has “Ahimelech the son of Abiathar.” Elsewhere Zadok and Abiathar figure as the priests of David’s reign (comp. 2 Samuel 15:29; 2 Samuel 15:35), and as Abiathar was a son of the Ahimelech who was slain at Nob by Saul’s orders (1 Samuel 22:20), it has been proposed to read here and in the parallel passage,” Abiathar the son of Ahimelech.” The correction, however, is far from certain, inasmuch as an “Ahimelech son of Abiathar,” who was priest in…
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 18 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. Zadok-and Abimelech - priests] Both high priests; one at Gibeon, and the other at Jerusalem, as we have seen 1 Chronicles 16:39. Shavsha was scribe] Called Seraiah, 2 Samuel 8:17.
Read AdamClarke on 1 Chronicles 18 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16. Abimelech the son of Abiathar] In 2 Samuel 8:17, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, but read Abiathar son of Ahimelech in both passages. Cp. 1 Chronicles 15:11; 1 Chronicles 24:2, notes; and Kirkpatrick on 2 Samuel 8:17. Shavsha] 2 Samuel 8:17, Seraiah; ib. 2 Samuel 20:25 Sheva; and 1 Kings 4:3 (perhaps), Shisha. Shisha and Shavsha probably represent two different attempts to pronounce a foreign name; Seraiah and Sheva are mere errors of transcription. Foreigners were admitted to posts of authority in the empire of David and Solomon; Ittai the Gittite and Uriah the Hittite are instances. scribe] R.V. mg., secretary. See 2 Kings 12:10; 2 Kings 18:18; 2 Kings 22:3; cp. 2 Kings 25:19, a…
Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 18 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe;
Zadok the son of Ahitub and Abimelech the son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was scribe;
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe;
Zadok son of Ahitub and Abimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was scribe;
Tyndale line
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
And Zadok the sonne of Ahitub, and Abimelech the sonne of Abiathar were the Priests, and Shausha the Scribe,
Strictly literal
and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Abimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
and Zadok son of Ahitub, and Abimelech son of Abiathar, [are] priests, and Shavsha [is] scribe,
and Zadok son of Ahitub and Abimelech son of Abiathar [are] priests, and Shavsha [is] scribe,
And Zadok the son of Achitub, and Abimelech the son of Ebyathar, were [the] priests; and Shavsha was scribe;
Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests, and Shavsha was scribe.
From the Latin
And Sadoc the son of Achitob, and Achimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests: and Susa, scribe.
Simplified
Zadok, son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech, son of Abiathar, were the priests, while Shavsha was secretary.
And Zadok, the son of Ahitub; and Ahimelech, the son of Abiathar, were priests; and Shavsha was the scribe;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads: "וְצָד֧וֹק בֶּן־ אֲחִיט֛וּב וַאֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ בֶּן־ אֶבְיָתָ֖ר כֹּהֲנִ֑ים וְשַׁוְשָׁ֖א סוֹפֵֽר׃" The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text, matching all 9 words, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. There are no significant differences in meaning or content between these witnesses for this verse.
וְצָד֧וֹק בֶּן־ אֲחִיט֛וּב וַאֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ בֶּן־ אֶבְיָתָ֖ר כֹּהֲנִ֑ים וְשַׁוְשָׁ֖א סוֹפֵֽר׃
9 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Chronicles 18:16
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word צָדוֹק (Tsadowq) means 'righteous' and refers primarily to the name Zadok, associated with several notable figures in the Old Testament. This includes a high priest during King David's reign, who supported him and anointed Solomon. The entries detail various individuals named Zadok, including priests and wall-builders during the time of Nehemiah.
צָדוֹק, and צָדֹק 54 n.pr.m. (just, righteous)
48 priests
father-in-law of Uzziah
two wall-builders
base
H6659 צָדוֹק, צָדֹק
6659 Tsadowq tsaw-doke'
from 6663; just; Tsadok, the name of eight or nine
Israelites:--Zadok.
see HEBREW for 06663
צָדוֹק (tsa.doq) — Zadok.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17;
son of: Ahitub (H0285H);
father of: Ahimaaz (H0290H)
§ Zadok = "righteous"
1) the high priest, son of Ahitub of the house of Eleazar the son of Aaron, and 11th in descent from Aaron; joined David after Saul's death and supported him against Absalom and Adonijah; anointed Solomon as king
2) a priest, son of Meraioth, father of Meshullam of the house of Ahitub; apparently a nephew of 1
3) father of Jerusha, the wife of king Uzziah and mother of king Jotham of Judah
4) son of Baana and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah
5) son of Immer and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah
6) a leader of the people in the time of Nehemiah
7) a scribe appointed by Nehemiah as one of the treasurers over the storehouse
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
za'-dok (tsadowq, once tsadhoq (1Ki 1:26), similar to tsaddiq, and tsadduq, post-Biblical, meaning justus, "righteous"; Septuagint Sadok): Cheyne in Encyclopedia Biblica suggests that Zadok was a modification of a Gentilic name, that of the Zidkites the Negeb, who probably derived their appellation from the root ts-d-q, a secondary title of the god they worshipped. At the same time Cheyne admits that cultivated Israelites may have interpreted Zadok as meaning "just," "righteous"--a much more credible supposition.
(1) Zadok the son of Ahitub (2Sa 8:17)--not of Ahitub the ancestor of Ahimelech (1Sa 14:3) and of Abiathar, his son (1Sa 22:20).
Zadok
Righteous. (1.) A son of Ahitub, of the line of Eleazer (2 Sam. 8:17; 1 Chr. 24:3), high priest in the time of David (2 Sam. 20:25) and Solomon (1 Kings 4:4). He is first mentioned as coming to take part with David at Hebron (1 Chr. 12:27, 28). He was probably on this account made ruler over the Aaronites (27:17). Zadok and Abiathar acted as high priests on several important occasions (1 Chr. 15:11; 2 Sam. 15:24-29, 35, 36); but when Adonijah endeavoured to secure the throne, Abiathar went with him, and…
(just). Son of Ahitub and one of the two chief priests in the time of David, Abiathar being the other. Zadok was of the house of Eleazar the son of Aaron, (1 Chronicles 24:3) and eleventh in descent from Aaron. (1 Chronicles 12:28) He joined David at Hebron after Saul’s death, (1 Chronicles 12:28) and thenceforth his fidelity to David was inviolable. When Absalom revolted and David fled from Jerusalem, Zadok and all the Levites bearing the ark accompanied him. When Absalom was dead, Zadok and Abiathar were the persons who persuaded the elders of Judah to invite David to return. (2 Samuel 19:11) When Adonijah, in David’s old age, set up for king, and had persuaded Joab…
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אֲחִיטוּב (Achiytuwb) means 'my brother is goodness.' It refers to several priests in the Old Testament, including a grandson of Eli and the father of Zadok. The name is derived from the roots for 'brother' and 'goodness.' It is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 14:3 and appears in various contexts throughout the history of the Israelite priesthood.
אֲחִיטוּב n.pr.m. (my brother is goodness)
grandson of Eli; father of Ahimelech
father of Zadok
base
H285 אֲחִיטוּב
285 'Achiytuwb akh-ee-toob'
from 251 and 2898; brother of goodness; Achitub, the name of
several priests:--Ahitub.
see HEBREW for 0251
see HEBREW for 02898
אֲחִיטוּב (a.chi.tuv) — Ahitub.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.14.3;
son of: Phinehas (H6372H);
brother of: Ichabod (H0350);
father of: Ahimelech (H0288)
§ Ahitub = "my brother is good (goodness)"
1) a grandson of Eli
2) the father of Zadok the priest
אֲחִיטוּב (a.chi.tuv) — Ahitub.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17;
son of: Amariah (H0568);
father of: Zadok (H6659)
§ Ahitub = "my brother is good (goodness)"
1) a grandson of Eli
2) the father of Zadok the priest
אֲחִיטוּב (a.chi.tuv) — Ahitub.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.11;
son of: Amariah (H0568H);
father of: Zadok (H6659I)
§ Ahitub = "my brother is good (goodness)"
1) a grandson of Eli
2) the father of Zadok the priest
אֲחִיטוּב (a.chi.tuv) — Ahitub.
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
a-hi'-tub ('achiTubh, "brother of goodness," i.e. "good brother," or, "my brother is goodness"):
(1) The brother of Ichabod and son of Phinehas the son of Eli (1Sa 14:3; 22:9,11,12,20), According to 1Ch 24 he and his line were descended from Aaron through Ithamar. The record implies that he was born while his father and grandfather were priests at Shiloh, and it says that he was the father and grandfather of priests; but it is silent as to his own exercise of the priestly office. We have no information concerning the office from the time when the Philistines captured the ark till Saul became king. See AHIJAH; AHIMELECH; ABIATHAR.
(2) A descendant of Aaron through Eleazar: by this fact distinguished from Ahitub, the descendant of Ithamar, though nearly contemporaneous with him. Especially known as the father of Zadok who, at Solomon's…
Ahitub
Brother of goodness = good. (1.) The son of Phinehas. On the death of his grandfather Eli he succeeded to the office of high priest, and was himself succeeded by his son Ahijah (1 Sam. 14:3; 22:9, 11, 12, 20).
(2.) The father of Zadok, who was made high priest by Saul after the extermination of the family of Ahimelech (1 Chr. 6:7, 8; 2 Sam. 8:17).
(brother of goodness). The son of Phinehas and grandson of Eli, and therefore of the family of Ithamar. (1 Samuel 14:3; 22:9,11) (B.C. 1125.) He was succeeded by his son Ahijah (AHIMELECH). (B.C. 1085.) Son of Amariah, and father of Zadok the high priest, (1 Chronicles 6:7,8; 2 Samuel 8:17) of the house of Eleazar. (B.C. before 1045.)
אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ (Abiymelek) means 'father of the king' and refers to several figures in the Old Testament, including kings of Gerar and Gath, a son of Gideon, and a priest. The name is derived from the components for 'father' and 'king.' It is first mentioned in Genesis 20:2 and appears in various contexts throughout the scriptures.
אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ n.pr.m. (Melek (= Malik, Molech) is father)
king of Gerar
king of Gath
son of Gideon
priest, son of Abiathar
base
H40 אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ (Melek (= Malik, Molech) is father)
40 'Abiymelek ab-ee-mel'-ek
from 1 and 4428; father of (the) king; Abimelek, the name of
two Philistine kings and of two Israelites:--Abimelech.
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 04428
אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ (a.vi.me.lekh) — Abimelech.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.20.2
§ Abimelech = "Melek is father" or "my father is king"
1) king of Gerar in Abraham's time
2) king of Gath in David's time; maybe title of Philistine kings
3) son of Gideon by a concubine
4) priest, son of Abiathar
אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ (a.vi.me.lekh) — Abimelech.
A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.8.31;
son of: Gideon (H1439);
brother of: Jether (H3500) and Jotham (H3147)
§ Abimelech = "Melek is father" or "my father is king"
1) king of Gerar in Abraham's time
2) king of Gath in David's time; maybe title of Philistine kings
3) son of Gideon by a concubine
4) priest, son of Abiathar
אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ (a.vi.me.lekh) — Abimelech.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.21.10;
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
a-bim'-e-lek ('abhimelekh, "father of a king"): A name borne by five Old Testament persons.
(1) The name of two kings of Philistia; the first was a contemporary of Abraham, the second, probably son of the former, was king in the days of Isaac. It is quite possible that Abimelech was the royal title rather than the personal name, since in the title of Ps 34 we find it applied to the king of Gath, elsewhere known by his personal name, Achish (1Sa 27:2,3). Shortly after the destruction of Sodom Abraham journeyed with his herds and flocks into the extreme Southeast country of Palestine (Ge 20). While sojourning at Gerar, the city of Abimelech, king of the Philistine country, he made believe that Sarah was his sister (Ge 20:2), and Abimelech took her, intending to make her one of his…
Abimelech
My father a king, or father of a king, a common name of the Philistine kings, as “Pharaoh” was of the Egyptian kings. (1.) The Philistine king of Gerar in the time of Abraham (Gen. 20:1-18). By an interposition of Providence, Sarah was delivered from his harem, and was restored to her husband Abraham. As a mark of respect he gave to Abraham valuable gifts, and offered him a settlement in any part of his country; while at the same time he delicately and yet severely rebuked him for having practised a deception upon him in pretending that Sarah was only his sister. Among the gifts presented by the king were a thousand pieces of silver as a “covering of the eyes” for Sarah; i.e., either as an atoning gift and a testimony of her innocence in the sight of all, or rather for the purpose of procuring a veil for Sarah to conceal her…
(father of the king), the name of several Philistine kings, was probably a common title of these kings, like that of Pharaoh among the Egyptians and that of Caesar and Augustus among the Romans. Hence in the title of (Psalms 34:1) ... the name of Abimelech is given to the king, who is called Achish in (1 Samuel 21:11) A Philistine, king of Gerar, Genesis 20,21, who, exercising the right claimed by Eastern princes of collecting all the beautiful women of their dominions into their harem, (Genesis 12:15; Esther 2:3) sent for and took Sarah. A similar account is given of Abraham’s conduct of this occasion to that of his behavior towards Pharaoh. [ABRAHAM] (B.C. 1920.) Another…
1. King of Gerar of the Philistines, who took Sarah into his harem; but being warned of God in a dream, he restored her to Abraham, and gave him 1,000 pieces of silver as a "covering of the eyes" for Sarah, that is, as an atoning present, and to be a testimony of her innocence in the eyes of all. He afterwards made a league with Abraham, Ge 20:1-18.
2. Another king of Gerar, probably son of the former, and contemporary with Isaac. He rebuked Isaac for dissimulation in regard to Rebekah, and afterwards made a new league with him at Beersheba, Ge 26:1-35.
3. A son of Gideon by a concubine, made himself king of Shechem after his father’s death, and slew his father’s seventy sons on one stone, only Jotham the youngest being left. Jotham reproached the Shechemites for their conduct, in…
בֵּן (ben) means 'son' or 'male child' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including descendants, young animals, and even figurative uses like sparks or arrows. It can refer to members of a tribe or class and is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Chronicles 24:26. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to build' and implies a connection to family or lineage.
בֵּן 4870 n.m. son
son, male child, born of a woman
children (male and female)
youth, young men
the young of animals
of plant shoots
fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
member of a guild, order or class
of animals son of (the) herd
ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
n. relat. of age
base
בְּנוֹ 1 Ch 24:26, 27 as n.pr.m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son, cf. VB & Be Öt.
done
H1121a בֵּן son . son, male child, born of a woman
. children (male and female)
. youth, young men
. the young of animals
. of plant shoots
. fig. of lifeless things, sparks, stars, arrows
. . member of a guild, order or class
. of animals son of (the) herd
. ב׳ as n. relat. followed by word of quality, characteristic, etc.
. n. relat. of age
H1121b בְּנוֹ as n. pr. m. in AV, RV, but render: the sons of Jaaziah his son, & the sons of Merari by Jaaziah his son
1121 ben bane
from 1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the
widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship,
including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,
etc., (like 1, 251, etc.)):--+ afflicted, age, (Ahoh-)
(Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-)ite, (anoint-)ed one, appointed to,
(+) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-)ian, one born,
bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X
came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of
first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, +
kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+)
people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, +
spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous
one, + valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
see HEBREW for 01129
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 0251
בֵּן (ben) — son: child.
: child/son
בְּנוֹ (be.no) — Beno.
A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.24.26;
son of: Jaaziah (H3269);
brother of: Shoham (H7719), Zaccur (H2139I) and Ibri (H5681)
§ Beno = "his son"
the sons of Jaaziah and the sons of Merari by Jaahziah (his son)
בֵּן (ben) — son: descendant/people.
: descendant, people, tribe, nation
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : child/son
בֵּן (ben) — son: young animal.
: calf/lamb/young(ANIMAL)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : descendant
בֵּן (ben) — son: type of.
: rebel/son(Belial)
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
§ : people/men/nation/tribe
בֵּן (ben) — son.
: [inheriting]son/heir
A sub-meaning of ben (בֵּן ": child" H1121)
בֵּן (ben) — son: warrior.
: warrior/son(strong)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אֶבְיָתָר (Ebyathar) refers to a biblical figure, specifically a priest and the son of Ahimelech. The name suggests a meaning related to abundance or greatness, and he is noted for his loyalty to David before later rebelling with Adonijah. He is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 22:20.
אֶבְיָתָר n.pr.m. (the Great One is father (?)) a priest, son of Ahimelech
base
H54 אֶבְיָתָר
54 'Ebyathar ab-yaw-thawr'
contracted from 1 and 3498; father of abundance (i.e.
liberal); Ebjathar, an Israelite:--Abiathar.
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 03498
אֶבְיָתָר (ev.ya.tar) — Abiathar.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.22.20;
son of: Ahimelech (H0288);
father of: Ahimelech (H0288I), Jonathan (H3083I)
Also named: Abiathar (Ἀβιαθάρ "Abiathar" G0008)
§ Abiathar = "my father is great"
priest, son of Ahitub (Ahimelech), faithful to David, but later rebelled with Adonijah
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
a-bi'-a-thar, ab-i-a'-thar ('ebhyathar, "father of super-excellence," or, "the super-excellent one is father." With changed phraseology these are the explanations commonly given, though "a father remains" would be more in accord with the ordinary use of the stem yathar. The pious Abiathar was still conscious that he had a Father, even after the butchery of his human relatives):
1. The Biblical Account:
The Scriptures represent that Abiathar was descended from Phinehas the son of Eli, and through him from Ithamar the son of Aaron; that he was the son of Ahimelech the head priest at Nob who, with his associates, was put to death by King Saul for alleged conspiracy with David; that he had two sons, Ahimelech and Jonathan, the former of whom was, in Abiathar's lifetime, prominent in the priestly service (1Sa 21:1-9; 22:7 ff;
Abiathar
Father of abundance, or my father excels, the son of Ahimelech the high priest. He was the tenth high priest, and the fourth in descent from Eli. When his father was slain with the priests of Nob, he escaped, and bearing with him the ephod, he joined David, who was then in the cave of Adullam (1 Sam. 22:20-23; 23:6). He remained with David, and became priest of the party of which he was the leader (1 Sam. 30:7). When David ascended the throne of Judah, Abiathar was appointed high priest (1 Chr. 15:11; 1 Kings 2:26) and the “king’s companion” (1 Chr. 27:34). Meanwhile Zadok, of the house of Eleazar, had been…
(father of abundance , i.e. liberal), High priest and fourth in descent from Eli. (B.C. 1060-1012.) Abiathar was the only one of the all the sons of Ahimelech the high priest who escaped the slaughter inflicted upon his father’s house by Saul, in revenge for his father’s house by Saul, in revenge of his having inquired of the Lord for David and given him the shew-bread to eat. (1 Samuel 22:1) ... Abiathar having become high priest fled to David, and was thus enabled to inquire of the Lord for him. (1 Samuel 23:9; 30:7; 2 Samuel 2:1; 5:19) etc. He adhered to David in his wanderings while pursued by Saul; he was with him while he reigned in Hebron, and afterwards in Jerusalem. (
Son of Ahimelech, and tenth high priest of the Jews. When Saul sent his emissaries to Nob, to destroy all the priests there, Abiathar, who was young, fled to David in the wilderness, 1Sa 22:11-23, with whom he continued in the character of priest, 1Sa 23:9 30:7. Being confirmed in the high priesthood on David’s accession to the throne, he aided in bringing up the ark to Jerusalem, 1Co 15:11,12, and adhered to David during the rebellion of Absalom, 2Sa 15:35, but afterwards was led to follow Adonijah, thus strangely betraying his royal friend in his old age. Solomon succeeding to the throne, degraded him from the priesthood, and sent him to Anathoth,
כֹּהֵן (kohen) means 'priest' and is derived from the active participle of a related root. It encompasses various types of priests, including Levitical, Aaronic, and even pagan priests, as well as chief rulers or principal officers. The term is used in contexts referring to both Jewish and non-Jewish priestly roles.
כֹּהֵן 750 n.m. priest
base
H3548 כֹּהֵן priest
3548 kohen ko-hane'
active participle of 3547; literally, one officiating, a
priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a
layman):--chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal
officer.
see HEBREW for 03547
כֹּהֵן (ko.hen) — priest.
1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler
1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah)
1b) pagan priests
1c) priests of Jehovah
1d) Levitical priests
1e) Zadokite priests
1f) Aaronic priests
1g) the high priest
Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
The Hebrew word שְׂרָיָה (*Seraiah*) is associated with various roles, including a secretary of David and a chief priest. It can refer to multiple individuals, such as a captain and a Levite, and it appears in different contexts within the Old Testament. The name is linked to the meaning of 'nobility.' There are variations in spelling and references, including its connection to שַׁוְשָׁא (*Shavsha*), who served as a royal scribe.
שְׂרָיָה(וּ) n.pr.m. (י׳ persisteth)
secretary of David
chief priest
a captain
son of Kenaz
name in Simeon
Levite name
companion of Zerub.
father of Ezra
one sealed
priest
officer of king Jehoiakim
base
H7798 שְׂרָיָה(וּ), שְׂרָיָה, שְׂרָיָהוּ
7798 Shavsha' shav-shaw'
from 7797; joyful; Shavsha, an Israelite:--Shavsha.
see HEBREW for 07797
שַׁוְשָׁא (shav.sah) — Shavsha.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17;
father of: Elihoreph (H0456) and Ahijah (H0281); also called Shavsha at 1Ch.18.16; Sheva(Ketiv: Sheya) at 2Sa.20.25; Shisha at 1Ki.4.3;
Another name of se.ra.yah (שְׂרָיָהוּ "Seraiah" H8304G)
§ Shavsha = "nobility"
the royal scribe or secretary for David
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
shav'-sha (shawsha'; in 2Sa 20:25, Kethibh, sheya', Kere, shewa', English Versions of the Bible "Sheva," are refuted by the Septuagint; in 2Sa 8:15-18, in other respects identical with Chronicles, "Seraiah" is found; the Septuagint varies greatly in all passages; it is the general consensus that Shavsha is correct): State secretary or scribe during the reign of David (1Ch 18:16; 2Sa 20:25). He was the first occupant of this office, which was created by David. It is significant that his father's name is omitted in the very exact list of David's officers of state (1Ch 18:14-17 parallel
Shavsha
(“Seraiah,” 2 Sam. 8:17; “Shisha,” 1 Kings 4:3), one of David’s secretaries (1 Chr. 18:16).
(nobility), the royal secretary in the reign of David, (1 Chronicles 18:16) called also SERAIAH in (2 Samuel 8:17) And SHEVA in (2 Samuel 20:25) End in (1 Kings 4:3) SHISHA.
→ See SERAIAH, number one
סָפַר (safar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to count or recount, with various forms indicating actions like declaring or rehearsing. The noun form סֹפֵר (sofer) refers to a scribe or secretary. The entries highlight its use in contexts of enumeration and record-keeping, but do not present significant disagreement among lexicons.
סָפַר 107 vb. count, Pi. recount, relate
Qal 27
count things, to learn their number
number = take account of, carefully observe and consider, reckon
Niph. be counted, numbered
Pi. 67 recount, rehearse, declare
Pu. be recounted, related, rehearsed
base
סֹפֵר, סוֹפֵר n.m. enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe
base
H5608a סָפַר count, Pi. recount, relate .. count things, to learn their number
. number = take account of, carefully observe and consider, reckon
. be counted, numbered
. recount, rehearse, declare
. be recounted, related, rehearsed
H5608b סֹפֵר, סוֹפֵר enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe
5608 caphar saw-far'
a primitive root; properly, to score with a mark as a tally
or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to
enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate:--commune,
(ac-)count; declare, number, + penknife, reckon, scribe, shew
forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer.
סָפַר (sa.phar) — to recount.
v
1) to count, recount, relate
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to count (things)
1a2) to number, take account of, reckon
1b) (Niphal) to be counted, be numbered
1c) (Piel) to recount, rehearse, declare
1c1) to recount (something), rehearse
1c2) to talk
1c3) to count exactly or accurately
1d) (Pual) to be recounted, be rehearsed, be related
סֹפֵר (so.pher) — secretary.
1) enumerator, muster-officer, secretary, scribe
1a) enumerator, muster-officer, secretary
1b) learned man, scribe
Aramaic equivalent: sa.pher (סָפִר "scribe" H5613)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
In the earlier Hebrew writings, was one skilled in writing and accounts, Ex 5:6 Jud 5:14 Jer 52:25; the person who communicated to the people the commands of the king, like the modern Secretary of State, 2Sa 8:17 20:25. In the later times of the Old Testament, especially after the captivity, and in the New Testament, a scribe is a person skilled in the Jewish law, a teacher or interpreter of the law. So Ezra was "a ready scribe in the laws of Moses," Ezr 7:6 1Ch 27:32. The scribes of the New Testament were a class of men educated for the purpose of preserving and…