287. Achimoth
Lexical Summary
Achimoth: Achimoth

Original Word: אֲחִימוֹת
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Achiymowth
Pronunciation: a-khee-moth
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ee-moth')
KJV: Ahimoth
NASB: Ahimoth
Word Origin: [from H251 (אָח - brother) and H4191 (מוּת - die)]

1. brother of death
2. Achimoth, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Ahimoth

From 'ach and muwth; brother of death; Achimoth, an Israelite -- Ahimoth.

see HEBREW 'ach

see HEBREW muwth

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ach and muth
Definition
"my brother is death," a Levite
NASB Translation
Ahimoth (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֲחִימוֺת proper name, masculine (my brother is death) a Levite 1 Chronicles 6:10 (compareמַחַת 1 Chronicles 6:20; 2Chronicles 29:12).

Topical Lexicon
Biblical Occurrence and Identity

Ahimoth is named once, in 1 Chronicles 6:25, among “The sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth.” The notice situates him in the Kohathite branch of Levi, a family entrusted with bearing the most sacred furnishings of the tabernacle (Numbers 4:15).

Place in the Levitical Genealogy

Levi → Kohath → Amminadab → Korah → Assir → Elkanah → Ebiasaph → Assir → Tahath → Uriel → Uzziah → Shaul → Elkanah → Amasai and Ahimoth.

Ahimoth therefore stands roughly nine generations after Kohath and several generations before the prophet Samuel, forming one link in the chain that produced the prophet and, later, Heman the chief musician (1 Chronicles 6:33–38).

Connection to Samuel and the Temple Musicians

Chronicles traces two parallel lines from Elkanah: one leads through Ahimoth’s brother Amasai to Heman, the chief singer appointed by David; the other runs through a second Elkanah to Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1). By recording Ahimoth’s name, the Chronicler secures the legitimacy of both the prophetic and musical ministries that shaped Israel’s worship life in the monarchy.

Role in Covenant Worship

Though Scripture records no personal exploits for Ahimoth, his inclusion underscores the permanence of the Levitical charge. Each generation preserved the vocation given at Sinai:

“When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy objects, and when the camp is set to move out, only then may the Kohathites come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things, or they will die.” (Numbers 4:15)

Ahimoth’s family therefore carried the weight—both literal and spiritual—of Israel’s most holy objects, ensuring continuity of worship until the temple era.

Textual Note

In the extended genealogy of Heman (1 Chronicles 6:33–38) a “Mahath” appears where Ahimoth might be expected. Most regard this as either a variant form or a collateral relative, not a contradiction. The parallel lists amplify, rather than diminish, the accuracy of the Chronicler’s record.

Theological Significance

1. Preservation of Promise: By listing even obscure names, Scripture demonstrates that God sustains His covenant through every generation, never losing track of a single servant.
2. Hidden Faithfulness: Ahimoth’s obscurity highlights the kingdom principle that unseen faithfulness undergirds public ministry. “The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1 Corinthians 12:22).
3. Preparatory Role for the Messiah: The line safeguarded by Ahimoth produced Samuel, whose anointing of David advanced the promise of an eternal King (2 Samuel 7:12–16) fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Thus, Ahimoth contributes indirectly to the redemptive arc reaching its climax in the New Covenant.

Practical Reflections

• God values anonymity in service; faithfulness, not fame, measures significance.
• Generational stewardship matters. Each believer’s obedience today may secure blessings for descendants yet unborn.
• Genealogies encourage confidence in the historical reliability of Scripture, supporting the believer’s trust in every word God has spoken.

Key Reference

1 Chronicles 6:25 – “The sons of Elkanah: Amasai and Ahimoth.”

Forms and Transliterations
וַאֲחִימֽוֹת׃ ואחימות׃ vaachiMot wa’ăḥîmōwṯ wa·’ă·ḥî·mō·wṯ
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Chronicles 6:25
HEB: אֶלְקָנָ֔ה עֲמָשַׂ֖י וַאֲחִימֽוֹת׃
NAS: of Elkanah [were] Amasai and Ahimoth.
KJV: of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth.
INT: of Elkanah Amasai and Ahimoth

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 287
1 Occurrence


wa·’ă·ḥî·mō·wṯ — 1 Occ.

286
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