3762. Karmelith

Lexical Summary

Karmelith: Carmelith

Original Word: כַּרְמְלִית
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Karmliyth
Pronunciation: kar-meh-LEETH
Phonetic Spelling: (kar-mel-eeth')
KJV: Carmelitess
NASB: Carmelitess
Word Origin: [feminine of H3761 (כַּרמְלִי - Carmelite)]

1. a Karmelitess or female inhabitant of Karmel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Carmelitess

Feminine of Karmliy; a Karmelitess or female inhabitant of Karmel -- Carmelitess.

see HEBREW Karmliy

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
fem. of Karmeli
Definition
a Carmelite woman
NASB Translation
Carmelitess (1).

Topical Lexicon

Term Overview

A feminine gentilic identifying a woman from Carmel in Judah, used twice to describe Abigail, the widow of Nabal and later wife of David.

Occurrences in Scripture

• 1 Samuel 27:3 – “David and his two wives—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail of Carmel, Nabal’s widow.”
• 1 Chronicles 3:1 – “These were the sons of David born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second, Daniel, by Abigail of Carmel.”

Historical Background of Carmel

Carmel lay in the hill country of Judah, southwest of Hebron (Joshua 15:55). The region’s fertile slopes supported extensive vineyards and flocks, creating wealth for landowners such as Nabal (1 Samuel 25:2). “Carmel” became a designation of prosperity (Isaiah 35:2) and gave its inhabitants a distinct identity, as preserved in the term “Carmelite/Carmelitess.”

Abigail the Carmelite: Character and Legacy

1. A woman of discernment – Abigail is first introduced with a reputation for wisdom and beauty (1 Samuel 25:3). Her swift, humble intervention prevented David’s retaliatory bloodshed and secured blessing for her household (25:18-35).
2. God’s providential elevation – After Nabal’s death, David sought Abigail in marriage (25:39-42). Her new status as “Abigail of Carmel” linked the pastoral riches of Judah with David’s rising kingdom.
3. Mother in the messianic line – As 1 Chronicles 3:1 records, she bore David a son, Daniel (also called Chileab, 2 Samuel 3:3), placing Carmel’s heritage within the royal genealogy that anticipates the Messiah.

Theological and Ministry Insights

• Divine restraint: Abigail embodied the Spirit-led ministry of peacemaking, averting violence through humble counsel. Her account underscores that God often employs the unlikely (a shepherd’s wife) to protect His anointed and advance redemptive purposes.
• Covenant faithfulness: The narratives surrounding the Carmelites highlight the Lord’s concern for household integrity and covenant order, themes later fulfilled in Christ’s headship of His bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:23-32).
• Female discipleship: Abigail models qualities commended in Titus 2:3-5—wisdom, courage, and sacrificial service—affirming women’s essential role in God’s saving plans.

Practical Applications for Believers

1. Pursue godly wisdom that diffuses conflict and safeguards others from sin.
2. Recognize God’s sovereignty in relocating individuals—like Abigail from Carmel to Hebron—for kingdom purposes.
3. Value faithful obedience over social status; the shepherdess of Carmel became mother to a prince in David’s line.

Related Entries

Carmel (Place); Abigail; Nabal; Carmelites (masculine form, Strong’s 3761)

Forms and Transliterations

הַֽכַּרְמְלִֽית׃ הכרמלית׃ hak·kar·mə·lîṯ HakkarmeLit hakkarməlîṯ

Englishman's Concordance

1 Samuel 27:3
HEB: אֵֽשֶׁת־ נָבָ֖ל הַֽכַּרְמְלִֽית׃
KJV: and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's
INT: widow Nabal's the Carmelitess

1 Chronicles 3:1
HEB: דָּנִיֵּ֔אל לַאֲבִיגַ֖יִל הַֽכַּרְמְלִֽית׃
NAS: by Abigail the Carmelitess;
KJV: Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:
INT: Daniel Abigail the Carmelitess

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3762
2 Occurrences

hak·kar·mə·lîṯ — 2 Occ.