1 Samuel 25:3
New International Version
His name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite.

New Living Translation
This man’s name was Nabal, and his wife, Abigail, was a sensible and beautiful woman. But Nabal, a descendant of Caleb, was crude and mean in all his dealings.

English Standard Version
Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite.

Berean Standard Bible
His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.

King James Bible
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

New King James Version
The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb.

New American Standard Bible
(now the man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. And the woman was intelligent and beautiful in appearance, but the man was harsh and evil in his dealings, and he was a Calebite),

NASB 1995
(now the man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. And the woman was intelligent and beautiful in appearance, but the man was harsh and evil in his dealings, and he was a Calebite),

NASB 1977
(now the man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. And the woman was intelligent and beautiful in appearance, but the man was harsh and evil in his dealings, and he was a Calebite),

Legacy Standard Bible
(now the man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. And the woman was good in insight and beautiful in appearance, but the man was harsh and evil in his dealings, and he was a Calebite),

Amplified Bible
(now the man’s name was Nabal and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was intelligent and beautiful in appearance, but the man was harsh and evil in his dealings; he was a Calebite).

Christian Standard Bible
The man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name, Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful, but the man, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The man’s name was Nabal, and his wife’s name, Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful, but the man, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.

American Standard Version
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail; and the woman was of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

English Revised Version
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and the woman was of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This man's name was Nabal, and his wife's name was Abigail. She was sensible and beautiful, but he was harsh and mean. He was a descendant of Caleb.

International Standard Version
The man's name was Nabal and his wife's name was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful, while the man was harsh and wicked in his dealings. He was a descendant of Caleb.

Majority Standard Bible
His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.

NET Bible
The man's name was Nabal, and his wife's name was Abigail. She was both wise and beautiful, but the man was harsh and his deeds were evil. He was a Calebite.

New Heart English Bible
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail. And the woman was intelligent and beautiful, but the man was harsh and evil in his dealings; and the man was a Calebite.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

World English Bible
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail. This woman was intelligent and had a beautiful face; but the man was surly and evil in his doings. He was of the house of Caleb.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the name of the man [is] Nabal, and the name of his wife [is] Abigail, and the woman [is] of good understanding, and of beautiful form, and the man [is] hard and evil [in his] doings; and he [is] a Calebite.

Young's Literal Translation
And the name of the man is Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail, and the woman is of good understanding, and of fair form, and the man is hard and evil in doings; and he is a Calebite.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the name of the man Nabal; and his wife's name Abigail: and the woman good of understanding, and beautiful of form: and the man hard and evil of works; and he as his dog.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now the name of the man was Nabal: and the name of his wife was Abigail. And she was a prudent and very comely woman, but her husband was churlish, and very bad and ill natured: and he was of the house of Caleb.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the name of this man was Nabal. And the name of his wife was Abigail. And she was a very prudent and beautiful woman. But her husband was hard-hearted, and very wicked, and malicious. And he was of the stock of Caleb.

New American Bible
The man’s name was Nabal and his wife was Abigail. The woman was intelligent and attractive, but Nabal, a Calebite, was harsh and bad-mannered.

New Revised Standard Version
Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was clever and beautiful, but the man was surly and mean; he was a Calebite.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife was Abigail; and she was a beautiful woman, and of a beautiful countenance; but the man Nabal was harsh and evil in his doings, and like a dog.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife was Abigal, and the woman was beautiful in her form and in her face, and the man Nabal was hard and evil in his deeds and behaved like a dog
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail; and the woman was of good understanding, and of a beautiful form; but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the man's name was Nabal, and his wife's name was Abigaia: and his wife was of good understanding and very beautiful in person: but the man was harsh, and evil in his doings, and the man was churlish.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David, Nabal, and Abigail
2Now there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. He was a very wealthy man with a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. 3His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings. 4While David was in the wilderness, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep.…

Cross References
Proverbs 31:10
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.

2 Samuel 20:1
Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!”

1 Kings 21:25
(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel.

Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

Proverbs 19:14
Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Proverbs 21:9
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 21:19
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

Proverbs 25:24
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 27:15
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike—

Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Ecclesiastes 7:26
And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Luke 6:45
The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. / But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.


Treasury of Scripture

Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

good

Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.

Proverbs 31:26,30,31
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness…

was churlish

1 Samuel 25:10,11,17
And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master…

Psalm 10:3
For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.

Isaiah 32:5-7
The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful…

Jump to Previous
Abigail Ab'igail Appearance Beautiful Caleb Countenance Cruel Dealings Doings Evil Hard Harsh House Husband Intelligent Looks Mean Nabal Pleasing Sense Understanding Ways Wife Wife's
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Abigail Ab'igail Appearance Beautiful Caleb Countenance Cruel Dealings Doings Evil Hard Harsh House Husband Intelligent Looks Mean Nabal Pleasing Sense Understanding Ways Wife Wife's
1 Samuel 25
1. Samuel dies
2. David in Paran sends to Nabal
10. Provoked by Nabal's rudeness, he minds to destroy him
14. Abigail understanding thereof
18. takes a present
23. and by her wisdom
32. pacifies David
36. Nabal hearing thereof, dies
39. David takes Abigail and Ahinoam to be his wives
44. Michal is given to Phalti














His name was Nabal
The name "Nabal" in Hebrew means "fool" or "senseless." This is significant as it foreshadows his character and actions throughout the narrative. In the ancient Near Eastern context, names often reflected personal attributes or destiny. Nabal's foolishness is a central theme in this chapter, highlighting the biblical principle that folly leads to downfall.

and his wife’s name was Abigail
"Abigail" means "my father’s joy" or "source of joy" in Hebrew. Her name is a stark contrast to Nabal's, suggesting her role as a bringer of wisdom and peace. Abigail's character is pivotal in the story, embodying the virtues of intelligence and beauty, which are gifts from God. Her presence in the narrative underscores the biblical theme of God using wise and righteous individuals to bring about His purposes.

She was an intelligent and beautiful woman
The description of Abigail as "intelligent" (Hebrew: "tov sekel") and "beautiful" (Hebrew: "yapheh") emphasizes her inner and outer qualities. Intelligence here refers to discernment and wisdom, qualities highly valued in biblical literature. Beauty, while often noted in biblical narratives, is secondary to her wisdom, suggesting that true beauty in God's eyes is found in character and godliness.

but her husband, a Calebite
The term "Calebite" indicates Nabal's lineage from Caleb, a notable figure in Israel's history known for his faithfulness and courage (Numbers 13:30). This contrast between Nabal and his ancestor Caleb highlights the divergence from a legacy of faith to one of folly. It serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a godly heritage and the consequences of straying from it.

was harsh and evil in his dealings
The words "harsh" (Hebrew: "qasheh") and "evil" (Hebrew: "ra") describe Nabal's character and actions. "Harsh" implies a stubborn, unyielding nature, while "evil" denotes moral corruption and wickedness. This characterization sets the stage for the conflict in the narrative, illustrating the biblical truth that unrighteousness leads to strife and divine judgment. Nabal's behavior contrasts sharply with Abigail's wisdom, highlighting the biblical theme of the righteous versus the wicked.

(3) Nabal.--The word "Nabal" means "fool," connected with naval, to fade away. The name was probably a nickname given him on account of his well-known stubborn folly.

Abigail.--The famous beautiful woman who afterwards became David's wife seems to have been, as Stanley calls her, "the good angel of the household" of the ill-starred, boorish southern chieftain. Her name, too, which signifies "whose father is joy," was most likely given her by the villagers on her husband's estate, as expressive of her sunny, gladness-bringing presence. Her early training, and the question respecting the sources whence she derived her wisdom and deep, far-sighted piety--apparently far in advance of her age--is discussed further on in the chapter.

The house of Caleb.--In the original Kalibi, i.e., of the house or family of Caleb. Thus the word is read in the Hebrew Bible. There is, however, an alternative reading--K'libi--with different vowel-points in the written text, which would be read "according to his heart." Josephus, the LXX., and the Arabic and Syriac Versions understand it as derived from kelev, a dog, and render--"and he was a cynical man" (that is, "one of a dog-like character"--anthr?pos keunikos). The Chaldee "e domo Caleb," and Vulgate "de genero Caleb," follow the text which is read in the Hebrew Bible, and translated in our version, "of the house of Caleb," which seems, on the whole, the preferable and most likely meaning.

Verse 3. - Nabal, the word rendered fool in Psalm 14:1; literally, "flat," "vapid." Abigail means "one who is the cause (father) of joy," i.e. one who gives joy. She, with her bright understanding and beautiful person (the Hebrew word takes in much more than the countenance; see 1 Samuel 16:18, where it is rendered comely person), is in contrast with the coarse, churlish man who was her husband. His name was either one which he had acquired by his conduct, or if given him by his parents shows that they were clownish people. He was of the house of Caleb. The written text has, "he was according to his heart," celibbo, i.e. a self-willed man, or one whose rude exterior answered to his inner nature; but there are linguistic difficulties in the way of this reading, and the Kri is probably right in correcting calibbi, a Calebite, a descendant of Caleb, who had large possessions assigned him in the neighbourhood of Hebron (Joshua 15:13-19), which is only ten miles northwest of Carmel. The versions support the Kri, though the Syriac and Septuagint render doglike - one who, like a dog, though he has plenty, yet grudges others. The meaning of the name Caleb is literally "a dog."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
His
הָאִישׁ֙ (hā·’îš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

name
וְשֵׁ֤ם (wə·šêm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

was Nabal,
נָבָ֔ל (nā·ḇāl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5037: Nabal -- a man of Carmel

and his wife’s
אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ (’iš·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

name [was]
וְשֵׁ֥ם (wə·šêm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

Abigail.
אֲבִגָ֑יִל (’ă·ḇi·ḡā·yil)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 26: Abigail -- 'my father is joy', two Israelite women

She was an intelligent
טֽוֹבַת־ (ṭō·w·ḇaṯ-)
Adjective - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

and beautiful
וִ֣יפַת (wî·p̄aṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3303: Fair, beautiful

woman,
וְהָאִשָּׁ֤ה (wə·hā·’iš·šāh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

but her husband,
וְהָאִ֥ישׁ (wə·hā·’îš)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

a Calebite,
כָלִבִּֽי׃ (ḵā·lib·bî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

was harsh
קָשֶׁ֛ה (qā·šeh)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7186: Hard, severe

and evil
וְרַ֥ע (wə·ra‘)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

in his dealings.
מַעֲלָלִ֖ים (ma·‘ă·lā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4611: A deed, practice


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OT History: 1 Samuel 25:3 Now the name of the man was (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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