5037. Nabal
Lexical Summary
Nabal: Nabal

Original Word: נָבָל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Nabal
Pronunciation: naw-BAWL
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-bawl')
KJV: Nabal
NASB: Nabal, Nabal's
Word Origin: [the same as H5036 (נָבָל - fool)]

1. dolt
2. Nabal, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Nabal

The same as nabal; dolt; Nabal, an Israelite -- Nabal.

see HEBREW nabal

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from nabal
Definition
a man of Carmel
NASB Translation
Nabal (19), Nabal's (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
II. נָבָל proper name, masculine (on popular etymology see 1 Samuel 25:25 below); — a churlish man of Carmel, whose widow David married 1 Samuel 25:3,4,5,9,10,14,19,25 (twice in verse) (כִּשְׁמוֺ כֶּןהֿ֔וּא נָבָל שְׁמוֺ וּנְּבָלָה עִמּוֺ), 1 Samuel 25:26 10t. 1Samuel + 2 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 3:3. ᵐ5 Ναβαλ.

Topical Lexicon
Identity and Setting

Nabal is introduced as “a very wealthy man, with three thousand sheep and a thousand goats” dwelling in Maon and conducting business in Carmel (1 Samuel 25:2). Scripture notes that “the man was harsh and evil in his dealings” (1 Samuel 25:3). His name becomes synonymous with folly and moral insensibility.

Narrative Summary

During a season of shearing, David’s men, who had peacefully protected Nabal’s shepherds, request provisions (1 Samuel 25:5-8). Nabal answers, “Who is David? … Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers and give it to men whose origin I do not know?” (1 Samuel 25:10-11). David prepares to avenge the insult, but Abigail intervenes with gifts and wise words, turning aside bloodshed (1 Samuel 25:18-31). Ten days after Abigail’s plea, “the LORD struck Nabal, and he died” (1 Samuel 25:38). David then blesses God for upholding justice and marries the widowed Abigail (1 Samuel 25:39-42).

Moral and Theological Themes

1. Folly versus Wisdom: Nabal’s boorish response displays the hallmark of a fool—failure to recognize God’s anointed and to act kindly. His conduct echoes Psalm 14:1, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”
2. Divine Vengeance: David’s restraint illustrates Romans 12:19’s principle later articulated by Paul: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay.” The narrative assures believers that God vindicates the righteous without their resorting to unrighteous violence.
3. Stewardship and Generosity: Nabal hoards his abundance, contrasting with the biblical mandate to show hospitality (Leviticus 19:34; Hebrews 13:2). His miserliness prefigures the rich fool of Luke 12:16-21.
4. Speech and Destiny: Nabal’s words seal his fate. Scripture repeatedly warns that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). His contemptuous dismissal of David becomes the instrument of his downfall.

Contrast with Abigail

Abigail is “discerning and beautiful” (1 Samuel 25:3). Her swift action—bringing bread, wine, sheep, parched grain, raisins, and figs—models peacemaking. She assumes covenant humility, referring to herself as David’s “servant” (1 Samuel 25:24). Her intercession typifies Christ’s mediatorial work, averting wrath and securing blessing. The juxtaposition of Nabal and Abigail highlights the path of death chosen by folly and the path of life secured by wisdom and faith.

Implications for Leadership and Stewardship

Nabal’s authority over resources and servants did not translate into moral leadership. Shepherds under his employ praised David’s protective presence (1 Samuel 25:15-16), yet Nabal ignored their testimony. The episode warns contemporary leaders that material success without godliness breeds ruin. Biblical stewardship demands attentiveness to God’s work and generosity toward His servants.

David’s Formation Through Nabal’s Folly

David’s anger was justifiable by cultural norms of reciprocal kindness, yet God uses Abigail to prevent David from shedding innocent blood before ascending the throne. The incident forms part of David’s spiritual training in patience and reliance on divine timing—an essential preparation for godly kingship.

Divine Justice and Providence

Nabal’s sudden death—“his heart failed within him, and he became like a stone. About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal” (1 Samuel 25:37-38)—demonstrates that judgment can be swift and individualized. Providence is equally evident in Abigail’s timely arrival, the preservation of David’s conscience, and the later incorporation of Abigail into the Davidic household, advancing redemptive history.

Legacy and Subsequent Mentions

After the main narrative, Nabal’s name surfaces only in identifications of Abigail: “David’s wives were Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite” (1 Samuel 30:5; 2 Samuel 2:2; 3:3). His legacy, therefore, is reduced to a cautionary footnote attached to the fame of a wise woman and a righteous king.

Practical Applications for Ministry

• Cultivate generosity; withhold nothing good when God prompts.
• Guard speech; contempt for God’s servants invites discipline.
• Trust divine justice; personal revenge can forfeit future blessing.
• Encourage wise intermediaries; peacemakers avert needless conflict.
• Teach that material prosperity is no shield against divine judgment when moral folly reigns.

Forms and Transliterations
כְנָבָל֙ כנבל לְנָבָ֛ל לנבל מִנָּבָ֔ל מנבל נָבָ֔ל נָבָ֖ל נָבָ֗ל נָבָ֛ל נָבָ֜ל נָבָ֡ל נָבָ֣ל נָבָ֥ל נָבָל֒ נָבָל֙ נבל chenaVal ḵə·nā·ḇāl ḵənāḇāl lə·nā·ḇāl lənāḇāl lenaVal min·nā·ḇāl minnāḇāl minnaVal nā·ḇāl nāḇāl naVal
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Samuel 25:3
HEB: וְשֵׁ֤ם הָאִישׁ֙ נָבָ֔ל וְשֵׁ֥ם אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ
NAS: name was Nabal, and his wife's
KJV: of the man [was] Nabal; and the name
INT: name the man's was Nabal name and his wife's

1 Samuel 25:4
HEB: כִּֽי־ גֹזֵ֥ז נָבָ֖ל אֶת־ צֹאנֽוֹ׃
NAS: in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing
KJV: in the wilderness that Nabal did shear
INT: for was shearing Nabal his sheep

1 Samuel 25:5
HEB: וּבָאתֶ֣ם אֶל־ נָבָ֔ל וּשְׁאֶלְתֶּם־ ל֥וֹ
NAS: visit Nabal and greet
KJV: and go to Nabal, and greet
INT: and go about Nabal ask counsel my name

1 Samuel 25:9
HEB: וַיְדַבְּר֧וּ אֶל־ נָבָ֛ל כְּכָל־ הַדְּבָרִ֥ים
NAS: they spoke to Nabal according to all
KJV: they spake to Nabal according to all those words
INT: spoke to Nabal to all words

1 Samuel 25:10
HEB: וַיַּ֨עַן נָבָ֜ל אֶת־ עַבְדֵ֤י
NAS: But Nabal answered David's
KJV: And Nabal answered David's
INT: answered Nabal servants David's

1 Samuel 25:14
HEB: וְלַאֲבִיגַ֙יִל֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת נָבָ֔ל הִגִּ֧יד נַֽעַר־
NAS: told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying,
KJV: told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying,
INT: Abigail wife Nabal's told of the young

1 Samuel 25:19
HEB: בָּאָ֑ה וּלְאִישָׁ֥הּ נָבָ֖ל לֹ֥א הִגִּֽידָה׃
NAS: her husband Nabal.
KJV: not her husband Nabal.
INT: I am coming her husband Nabal did not tell

1 Samuel 25:25
HEB: הַזֶּ֜ה עַל־ נָבָ֗ל כִּ֤י כִשְׁמוֹ֙
NAS: man, Nabal, for as his name
KJV: of Belial, [even] Nabal: for as his name
INT: to this and Nabal as his name

1 Samuel 25:25
HEB: כֶּן־ ה֔וּא נָבָ֣ל שְׁמ֔וֹ וּנְבָלָ֖ה
NAS: is, so is he. Nabal is his name
KJV: for as his name [is], so [is] he; Nabal [is] his name,
INT: is so is he Nabal is his name and folly

1 Samuel 25:26
HEB: וְעַתָּ֗ה יִֽהְי֤וּ כְנָבָל֙ אֹיְבֶ֔יךָ וְהַֽמְבַקְשִׁ֥ים
NAS: against my lord, be as Nabal.
KJV: evil to my lord, be as Nabal.
INT: now be as Nabal enemies seek

1 Samuel 25:34
HEB: אִם־ נוֹתַ֧ר לְנָבָ֛ל עַד־ א֥וֹר
NAS: there would not have been left to Nabal until
KJV: me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning
INT: not have been left to Nabal until light

1 Samuel 25:36
HEB: אֲבִיגַ֣יִל ׀ אֶל־ נָבָ֡ל וְהִנֵּה־ לוֹ֩
NAS: came to Nabal, and behold,
KJV: came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast
INT: Abigail to Nabal and behold A feast

1 Samuel 25:36
HEB: הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וְלֵ֤ב נָבָל֙ ט֣וֹב עָלָ֔יו
NAS: of a king. And Nabal's heart
KJV: of a king; and Nabal's heart
INT: of a king heart and Nabal's merry within

1 Samuel 25:37
HEB: בְּצֵ֤את הַיַּ֙יִן֙ מִנָּבָ֔ל וַתַּגֶּד־ ל֣וֹ
NAS: had gone out of Nabal, his wife
KJV: was gone out of Nabal, and his wife
INT: had gone the wine of Nabal told his wife

1 Samuel 25:38
HEB: יְהוָ֛ה אֶת־ נָבָ֖ל וַיָּמֹֽת׃
NAS: struck Nabal and he died.
KJV: smote Nabal, that he died.
INT: struck the LORD Nabal died

1 Samuel 25:39
HEB: כִּ֣י מֵ֣ת נָבָל֒ וַיֹּ֡אמֶר בָּר֣וּךְ
NAS: heard that Nabal was dead,
KJV: heard that Nabal was dead,
INT: for was dead Nabal said Blessed

1 Samuel 25:39
HEB: חֶרְפָּתִ֜י מִיַּ֣ד נָבָ֗ל וְאֶת־ עַבְדּוֹ֙
NAS: from the hand of Nabal and has kept back
KJV: from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept
INT: of my reproach the hand of Nabal his servant kept

1 Samuel 25:39
HEB: וְאֵת֙ רָעַ֣ת נָבָ֔ל הֵשִׁ֥יב יְהוָ֖ה
NAS: the evildoing of Nabal on his own head.
KJV: the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head.
INT: evil the wickedness of Nabal returned the LORD

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

1 Samuel 30:5
HEB: וַאֲבִיגַ֕יִל אֵ֖שֶׁת נָבָ֥ל הַֽכַּרְמְלִֽי׃
NAS: the widow of Nabal the Carmelite.
KJV: the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
INT: and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite

2 Samuel 2:2
HEB: וַאֲבִיגַ֕יִל אֵ֖שֶׁת נָבָ֥ל הַֽכַּרְמְלִֽי׃
NAS: the widow of Nabal the Carmelite.
KJV: and Abigail Nabal's wife
INT: and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite

2 Samuel 3:3
HEB: ק) אֵ֖שֶׁת נָבָ֣ל הַֽכַּרְמְלִ֑י וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁי֙
NAS: the widow of Nabal the Carmelite;
KJV: the wife of Nabal the Carmelite;
INT: Abigal the widow of Nabal the Carmelite and the third

22 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5037
22 Occurrences


ḵə·nā·ḇāl — 1 Occ.
lə·nā·ḇāl — 1 Occ.
min·nā·ḇāl — 1 Occ.
nā·ḇāl — 19 Occ.

5036
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