Lexical Summary Ebyathar: Abiathar Original Word: אֶבְיָתָר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Abiathar Contracted from 'ab and yathar; father of abundance (i.e. Liberal); Ebjathar, an Israelite -- Abiathar. see HEBREW 'ab see HEBREW yathar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ab and yathar Definition "the great one is father," an Isr. priest NASB Translation Abiathar (29), Abiathar's (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֶבְיָתָר proper name, masculine (the Great One is father (?) so BäRel. 156, compare Sabean ותר) a priest, son of Ahimelech 1 Samuel 22:20,21,22; 1 Samuel 23:6,9; 1 Samuel 30:7 (twice in verse); 2 Samuel 8:17 (read בןאֿחמלך ׳אב so ᵑ6 We Dr) + 22 t. 2Samuel, 1Kings, 1Chronicles. Topical Lexicon Family Line and Early Years Abiathar was the son of Ahimelech of the priestly line of Ithamar and a direct descendant of Eli (1 Samuel 22:20; 1 Kings 2:27). Raised at Nob where the tabernacle articles were then kept, he was steeped in priestly service from his youth. Sole Survivor of Saul’s Massacre When King Saul slew the priests of Nob, “one son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to David” (1 Samuel 22:20). With him he carried the ephod, signifying both the continuity of the priesthood and the divine guidance that would accompany David’s wanderings (1 Samuel 23:6, 9). Priestly Service during David’s Exile Throughout David’s flight from Saul, Abiathar functioned as high priest in practical terms. He regularly “inquired of the LORD” for David (1 Samuel 23:9–12; 30:7–8), thus supplying prophetic discernment at critical junctions such as Keilah and Ziklag. His presence testified to the Lord’s endorsement of David’s kingship even before it was publicly recognized. Participation in David’s Rise and Consolidation of the Kingdom After Saul’s death, Abiathar continued to serve David, now reigning in Hebron and later in Jerusalem. Alongside Zadok he is listed among the chief priests under the united monarchy (2 Samuel 8:17; 20:25; 1 Chronicles 18:16). While Zadok traced descent through Eleazar, Abiathar represented Eli’s house through Ithamar, giving the religious establishment dual priestly lines working in harmony under David. Steward of the Ark in Jerusalem When David brought the Ark of God to Zion, Abiathar had a role, though the narrative highlights Zadok and Levites such as Asaph (2 Samuel 15:24–29; 1 Chronicles 15:11). The shared priesthood emphasized national unity around true worship. Loyalty during Absalom’s Revolt During Absalom’s coup, Abiathar, with Zadok, attempted to accompany David out of Jerusalem bearing the Ark. David directed them to return as covert informants (2 Samuel 15:24–36). Their sons Jonathan and Ahimaaz relayed intelligence, helping secure David’s restoration (2 Samuel 17:15–22). Complicity in Adonijah’s Conspiracy Late in David’s life, Adonijah sought the throne. “He conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, and they supported Adonijah” (1 Kings 1:7). By aligning with the wrong claimant, Abiathar broke ranks with Zadok and imperiled his office. Deposition under Solomon and Fulfillment of Prophecy After Solomon’s anointing, he addressed Abiathar: “Go to your estate at Anathoth…for you carried the ark of the LORD God before my father David and endured affliction with him” (1 Kings 2:26). Though guilty of treason, Abiathar’s past faithfulness mitigated the sentence to banishment. “So Solomon removed Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, fulfilling the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh concerning the house of Eli” (1 Kings 2:27). Thus the curse pronounced in 1 Samuel 2:31–35 reached its historical climax. Later Mentions and Legacy Chronicles records his descendants in post-exilic genealogies (1 Chronicles 24:3, 6, 31; Nehemiah 10:6), confirming the endurance of his line though deprived of the high-priesthood. His name also surfaces in the Gospel tradition as a chronological marker (“in the days of Abiathar the high priest,” Mark 2:26). Theological Significance 1. Covenant Justice: Abiathar’s removal demonstrates that divine election of a priestly house is irrevocably tied to covenant fidelity (compare 1 Samuel 2:30). Principal References 1 Samuel 22:20–23; 23:6–12; 30:7–8 2 Samuel 8:17; 15:24–36; 20:25 1 Kings 1:7–8, 19, 25, 42; 2:22, 26–27, 35 1 Chronicles 18:16; 24:3–31 Forms and Transliterations אֶבְיָתָ֑ר אֶבְיָתָ֔ר אֶבְיָתָ֖ר אֶבְיָתָ֛ר אֶבְיָתָ֣ר אֶבְיָתָ֤ר אֶבְיָתָ֥ר אֶבְיָתָ֧ר אֶבְיָתָֽר׃ אֶבְיָתָר֙ אביתר אביתר׃ וְאֶבְיָתָ֔ר וְאֶבְיָתָ֖ר וְאֶבְיָתָ֛ר וּלְאֶבְיָתָ֖ר וּלְאֶבְיָתָ֣ר וּלְאֶבְיָתָ֨ר וּלְאֶבְיָתָר֙ ואביתר ולאביתר לְאֶבְיָתָ֑ר לְאֶבְיָתָ֗ר לאביתר ’eḇ·yā·ṯār ’eḇyāṯār evyaTar lə’eḇyāṯār lə·’eḇ·yā·ṯār leevyaTar ū·lə·’eḇ·yā·ṯār ūlə’eḇyāṯār uleevyaTar veevyaTar wə’eḇyāṯār wə·’eḇ·yā·ṯārLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Samuel 22:20 HEB: אֲחִט֔וּב וּשְׁמ֖וֹ אֶבְיָתָ֑ר וַיִּבְרַ֖ח אַחֲרֵ֥י NAS: named Abiathar, escaped KJV: named Abiathar, escaped, INT: of Ahitub named Abiathar and fled after 1 Samuel 22:21 1 Samuel 22:22 1 Samuel 23:6 1 Samuel 23:9 1 Samuel 30:7 1 Samuel 30:7 2 Samuel 8:17 2 Samuel 15:24 2 Samuel 15:27 2 Samuel 15:29 2 Samuel 15:35 2 Samuel 15:35 2 Samuel 15:36 2 Samuel 17:15 2 Samuel 19:11 2 Samuel 20:25 1 Kings 1:7 1 Kings 1:19 1 Kings 1:25 1 Kings 1:42 1 Kings 2:22 1 Kings 2:26 1 Kings 2:27 1 Kings 2:35 30 Occurrences |
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