52. Abishay
Lexical Summary
Abishay: Abishai

Original Word: אֲבִישַׁי
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Abiyshay
Pronunciation: ah-vee-SHY
Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee-shah'ee)
KJV: Abishai
NASB: Abishai, Abshai
Word Origin: [from H1 (אָב - father) and H7862 (שַׁי - gifts)]

1. father of a gift (i.e. probably generous)
2. Abishai, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Abishai

Or (shorter) Abshay {ab-shah'ee}; from 'ab and shay; father of a gift (i.e. Probably generous); Abishai, an Israelite -- Abishai.

see HEBREW 'ab

see HEBREW shay

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ab and shay
Definition
"my father is Jesse," an Isr. name
NASB Translation
Abishai (21), Abshai (4).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֲבִישַׁי proper name, masculine (my father is Jesse; LagBN 75 thinks from אֲבֶן (= בֶּן + ישׁי compare ᵐ5 Ἀβεσσα[ι] 1 Samuel 26:6) — ׳א 1 Samuel 26:6 (twice in verse) + 17 t. 1 & 2Samuel = אַבְשַׁי 2 Samuel 10:10 5t. 1Chronicles — grandson of Jesse; son of Zeruiah & brother of Joab 1 Samuel 26:6 (twice in verse); 1 Samuel 26:7,8,9; 2 Samuel 2:18; 2 Samuel 2:24 + 2 Samuel 20:6 (where read יואב ᵑ6 Th We Dr) + 12 t. 2Sam + 2 Samuel 20:7 (where insert אבישׁי ᵐ5 We Dr) + 5 t. 1Chron.

Topical Lexicon
Family Background

Abishai was the eldest son of Zeruiah, sister of David (1 Chronicles 2:16). His brothers were Joab, later commander-in-chief of the army, and Asahel, renowned for his speed. Growing up in Bethlehem within the tribe of Judah, the three brothers formed a formidable military triad that stood by David from his wilderness years through the consolidation of the united monarchy.

Companion of David in Exile

While David was hunted by Saul, Abishai volunteered for the daring night raid into the royal camp. “David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, ‘Who will go down with me to Saul in the camp?’ ‘I will go with you,’ answered Abishai” (1 Samuel 26:6). Inside the camp he urged David to permit a fatal spear thrust: “God has delivered your enemy into your hand. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear” (1 Samuel 26:8). David restrained him, sparing the LORD’s anointed. The scene reveals Abishai’s fearless zeal alongside a willingness to submit to righteous restraint.

Pursuit of Abner and the Cost of Vengeance

After Saul’s death, conflict erupted between the house of Saul and the house of David. Abishai’s brother Asahel was slain by Abner; Joab and Abishai later avenged him (2 Samuel 3:30). This act satisfied family honor yet complicated David’s efforts to unify Israel, illustrating how personal vengeance can hinder national reconciliation.

Chief among the Thirty

Abishai distinguished himself in combat to the point of being placed over the elite corps known as “the Thirty.” “Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of the Thirty. He wielded his spear against three hundred men and killed them, winning a name among the Thirty” (2 Samuel 23:18). Though not of “the Three,” he nevertheless enjoyed pre-eminence over the broader band of warriors, reflecting tested courage and sustained leadership.

Campaign against Ammon and Aram

When the Ammonite and Aramean coalition threatened Israel, Joab divided the host, giving a wing to Abishai. “If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to come to my help; and if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will come to help you” (2 Samuel 10:11). Their mutual support and the invocation of divine aid (verse 12) secured victory. 1 Chronicles 19:11-15 parallels the account, underscoring Abishai’s strategic trustworthiness.

Role during Absalom’s Rebellion

As David fled Jerusalem, Shimei cursed the king along the road. Abishai offered immediate retribution (2 Samuel 16:9; 19:21). David again stayed his hand, choosing clemency over bloodshed. Later, when the decisive battle loomed, David arranged the forces under Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, charging them, “Deal gently with the young man Absalom for my sake” (2 Samuel 18:5). Abishai’s disciplined obedience preserved unity in a moment of internal crisis.

Suppression of Sheba’s Revolt

When Sheba son of Bichri incited northern tribes, David told Abishai, “Now Sheba... will do us more harm than Absalom; take your lord’s servants and pursue him” (2 Samuel 20:6). Though Joab soon commandeered the pursuit, Abishai’s appointment again demonstrates the king’s confidence in his reliability.

Deliverer of David from a Philistine Giant

In later years David grew weary in battle against the Philistines. “Then Ishbi-Benob… said he would kill David. But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to the king’s aid, struck the Philistine, and killed him” (2 Samuel 21:16-17). By saving the aged monarch, Abishai preserved the lamp of Israel during a vulnerable moment.

Character Traits and Spiritual Insights

• Courage: Engaged giants, infiltrated enemy camps, and stood in the thickest fighting.
• Loyalty: Consistently aligned with David, whether on the run or enthroned.
• Impulsiveness: Quick to wield the sword against Saul and Shimei, yet willing to yield to David’s spiritual judgment.
• Submission to Authority: His repeated deference to David’s restraint shows respect for divinely ordered leadership.

Theological Significance

Abishai’s life illustrates the tension between zeal and obedience. He models the believer who is ready to advance the kingdom forcefully, yet must temper action with reverence for God’s established order. His willingness to stand in harm’s way for God’s anointed foreshadows loyal devotion to the greater Son of David, Jesus Christ, while David’s restraint reminds readers that vengeance belongs to the LORD.

Legacy

Though overshadowed by Joab’s political prominence, Abishai’s steadfast valor earned enduring honor among Israel’s mighty men. Each appearance across Samuel and Chronicles reinforces the consistency of Scripture’s portrait: a warrior-servant whose brave exploits, tempered by submission, contributed significantly to the stability of David’s reign and the unfolding redemptive narrative.

Forms and Transliterations
אֲבִישַׁ֔י אֲבִישַׁ֖י אֲבִישַׁ֣י אֲבִישַׁ֤י אֲבִישַׁ֨י אֲבִישַׁי֙ אַבְשַׁ֛י אַבְשַׁ֣י אבישי אבשי וְאַבְשַׁ֣י וַאֲבִישַׁ֖י וַאֲבִישַׁ֞י וַאֲבִישַׁ֣י וַאֲבִישַׁ֥י ׀ ואבישי ואבשי ’ă·ḇî·šay ’aḇ·šay ’ăḇîšay ’aḇšay aviShai avShai vaaviShai veavShai wa’ăḇîšay wa·’ă·ḇî·šay wə’aḇšay wə·’aḇ·šay
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Samuel 26:6
HEB: הַחִתִּ֗י וְאֶל־ אֲבִישַׁ֨י בֶּן־ צְרוּיָ֜ה
NAS: the Hittite and to Abishai the son
KJV: the Hittite, and to Abishai the son
INT: the Hittite and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah

1 Samuel 26:6
HEB: הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲבִישַׁ֔י אֲנִ֖י אֵרֵ֥ד
NAS: in the camp? And Abishai said,
KJV: to the camp? And Abishai said,
INT: army said Abishai I down

1 Samuel 26:7
HEB: וַיָּבֹא֩ דָוִ֨ד וַאֲבִישַׁ֥י ׀ אֶל־ הָעָם֮
NAS: So David and Abishai came
KJV: So David and Abishai came
INT: came David and Abishai to the people

1 Samuel 26:8
HEB: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲבִישַׁי֙ אֶל־ דָּוִ֔ד
NAS: Then Abishai said to David,
KJV: him.Then said Abishai to David, God
INT: said Abishai to David

1 Samuel 26:9
HEB: דָּוִ֛ד אֶל־ אֲבִישַׁ֖י אַל־ תַּשְׁחִיתֵ֑הוּ
NAS: said to Abishai, Do not destroy
KJV: said to Abishai, Destroy
INT: David to Abishai not destroy

2 Samuel 2:18
HEB: צְרוּיָ֔ה יוֹאָ֥ב וַאֲבִישַׁ֖י וַעֲשָׂהאֵ֑ל וַעֲשָׂהאֵל֙
NAS: Joab and Abishai and Asahel;
KJV: there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel:
INT: of Zeruiah Joab and Abishai and Asahel and Asahel

2 Samuel 2:24
HEB: וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֛וּ יוֹאָ֥ב וַאֲבִישַׁ֖י אַחֲרֵ֣י אַבְנֵ֑ר
NAS: But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner,
KJV: Joab also and Abishai pursued after
INT: pursued Joab and Abishai after Abner

2 Samuel 3:30
HEB: וְיוֹאָב֙ וַאֲבִישַׁ֣י אָחִ֔יו הָרְג֖וּ
NAS: So Joab and Abishai his brother killed
KJV: So Joab and Abishai his brother slew
INT: Joab and Abishai his brother killed

2 Samuel 10:10
HEB: נָתַ֕ן בְּיַ֖ד אַבְשַׁ֣י אָחִ֑יו וַֽיַּעֲרֹ֕ךְ
NAS: in the hand of Abishai his brother,
KJV: into the hand of Abishai his brother,
INT: placed the hand of Abishai his brother arrayed

2 Samuel 10:14
HEB: וַיָּנֻ֙סוּ֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י אֲבִישַׁ֔י וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ הָעִ֑יר
NAS: before Abishai and entered
KJV: they also before Abishai, and entered
INT: they fled before Abishai and entered the city

2 Samuel 16:9
HEB: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֲבִישַׁ֤י בֶּן־ צְרוּיָה֙
NAS: Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah
KJV: Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah
INT: said Abishai the son of Zeruiah

2 Samuel 16:11
HEB: דָּוִ֤ד אֶל־ אֲבִישַׁי֙ וְאֶל־ כָּל־
NAS: said to Abishai and to all
KJV: said to Abishai, and to all his servants,
INT: David to Abishai and to all

2 Samuel 18:2
HEB: וְ֠הַשְּׁלִשִׁית בְּיַ֨ד אֲבִישַׁ֤י בֶּן־ צְרוּיָה֙
NAS: under the command of Abishai the son
KJV: under the hand of Abishai the son
INT: third the command of Abishai the son of Zeruiah

2 Samuel 18:5
HEB: י֠וֹאָב וְאֶת־ אֲבִישַׁ֤י וְאֶת־ אִתַּי֙
NAS: Joab and Abishai and Ittai,
KJV: Joab and Abishai and Ittai,
INT: the king Joab and Abishai and Ittai saying

2 Samuel 18:12
HEB: אֹ֠תְךָ וְאֶת־ אֲבִישַׁ֤י וְאֶת־ אִתַּי֙
NAS: charged you and Abishai and Ittai,
KJV: charged thee and Abishai and Ittai,
INT: charged the king and Abishai and Ittai saying

2 Samuel 19:21
HEB: וַיַּ֨עַן אֲבִישַׁ֤י בֶּן־ צְרוּיָה֙
NAS: But Abishai the son of Zeruiah
KJV: But Abishai the son of Zeruiah
INT: answered Abishai the son of Zeruiah

2 Samuel 20:6
HEB: דָּוִד֙ אֶל־ אֲבִישַׁ֔י עַתָּ֗ה יֵ֧רַֽע
NAS: And David said to Abishai, Now Sheba
KJV: said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba
INT: and David to Abishai Now harm

2 Samuel 20:10
HEB: ס וְיוֹאָב֙ וַאֲבִישַׁ֣י אָחִ֔יו רָדַ֕ף
NAS: Then Joab and Abishai his brother
KJV: So Joab and Abishai his brother
INT: died Joab and Abishai his brother pursued

2 Samuel 21:17
HEB: וַיַּֽעֲזָר־ לוֹ֙ אֲבִישַׁ֣י בֶּן־ צְרוּיָ֔ה
NAS: But Abishai the son of Zeruiah
KJV: But Abishai the son of Zeruiah
INT: helped Abishai the son of Zeruiah

2 Samuel 23:18
HEB: וַאֲבִישַׁ֞י אֲחִ֣י ׀ יוֹאָ֣ב
NAS: Abishai, the brother of Joab,
KJV: And Abishai, the brother of Joab,
INT: Abishai the brother of Joab

1 Chronicles 2:16
HEB: וּבְנֵ֣י צְרוּיָ֗ה אַבְשַׁ֛י וְיוֹאָ֥ב וַעֲשָׂה־
NAS: of Zeruiah [were] Abshai, Joab
KJV: of Zeruiah; Abishai, and Joab,
INT: sons of Zeruiah Abshai Joab and Asahel

1 Chronicles 11:20
HEB: וְאַבְשַׁ֣י אֲחִֽי־ יוֹאָ֗ב
NAS: As for Abshai the brother of Joab,
KJV: And Abishai the brother of Joab,
INT: Abshai the brother of Joab

1 Chronicles 18:12
HEB: וְאַבְשַׁ֣י בֶּן־ צְרוּיָ֗ה
NAS: Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah
KJV: Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah
INT: Abishai the son of Zeruiah

1 Chronicles 19:11
HEB: נָתַ֕ן בְּיַ֖ד אַבְשַׁ֣י אָחִ֑יו וַיַּ֣עַרְכ֔וּ
NAS: in the hand of Abshai his brother;
KJV: unto the hand of Abishai his brother,
INT: placed the hand of Abshai his brother arrayed

1 Chronicles 19:15
HEB: הֵ֗ם מִפְּנֵי֙ אַבְשַׁ֣י אָחִ֔יו וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ
NAS: before Abshai his brother
KJV: before Abishai his brother,
INT: like before Abshai his brother and entered

25 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 52
25 Occurrences


’ă·ḇî·šay — 13 Occ.
’aḇ·šay — 4 Occ.
wa·’ă·ḇî·šay — 6 Occ.
wə·’aḇ·šay — 2 Occ.

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