Lexical Summary Akbor: Akbor Original Word: עַכְבּוֹר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Achbor Probably for akbar; Akbor, the name of an Idumaean and of two Israelites -- Achbor. see HEBREW akbar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as akbar Definition "mouse," an Isr., also an Edomite NASB Translation Achbor (7), come (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs עַכְבּוֺר, עַכְבֹּר proper name, masculine (mouse, compare עַכְבָּר, see GrayProp. N. 93; עכבר Old Hebrew and Phoenician as proper name Lzb304 (compare also on similar Latin proper name ClGannJAs 1883, Fev.- Mar. 128)); — ᵐ5 Αχοβωρ: 1 Edomite Genesis 36:38,39 (P) = עַכְבֹּר 1 Chronicles 1:49 (Baer Ginsb). 2 courtier of Josiah 2 Kings 22:12,14, perhaps also Jeremiah 26:22; Jeremiah 36:12 (compare Gie and Ency. Bib.). Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Achbor (עַכְבּוֹר) literally denotes “mouse,” an image of seeming smallness that belies the strategic places the nameholder occupies in biblical history. The seven occurrences cluster around two distinct individuals: an Edomite patriarch of royalty and a Judean courtier active in the final reform and subsequent decline of the Southern Kingdom. Edomite Lineage and Royal Succession Genesis 36:38–39 and the parallel in 1 Chronicles 1:49 place Achbor as the father of Baal-hanan, one of the early kings of Edom. Though Scripture offers no moral appraisal of either man, their mention in the systematic genealogy underscores three facts: 1. Edom possessed an organized monarchy long before Israel requested one (1 Samuel 8). Judean Courtier in Josiah’s Reformation 2 Kings 22 twice lists “Achbor son of Micaiah” among the group Josiah dispatches to consult Huldah after the rediscovery of the Book of the Law: “So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess” (2 Kings 22:14). Achbor’s presence reveals several features of Josiah’s administration: Later Mentions through His Son Elnathan Jeremiah names Elnathan as “son of Achbor,” linking the Kings narrative to the prophet’s era a generation later. The son appears twice, both times as a royal envoy: “King Jehoiakim, however, sent men to Egypt: Elnathan son of Achbor…” (Jeremiah 26:22). “He went down to the house of the king… Elnathan son of Achbor…” (Jeremiah 36:12). The missions differ sharply—first to extradite the prophet Uriah for execution, later to hear Baruch’s reading of Jeremiah’s scroll. The contrast highlights the shifting moral climate from Josiah’s revival to Jehoiakim’s apostasy. Achbor’s household remained close to power, but proximity to authority became perilous when the throne resisted the word of God. Historical and Theological Observations • Continuity of Service: Achbor’s family serves three successive kings—Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah—illustrating how civil servants can influence multiple regimes for good or ill. Ministry Applications 1. Faithful Presence: Like Achbor, believers in public office today can champion the authority of God’s word within secular structures. Christological Foreshadowing Achbor’s consultation with Huldah pictures the pattern ultimately fulfilled in Christ: a ruler (Josiah) submits to the revealed word, leading to covenant renewal. Jesus, the greater King, embodies that word and calls His followers—including those in government—to the same posture of humble obedience. Summary Achbor stands at two crossroads of Old Testament history—Edom’s royal origins and Judah’s last reform. His story, brief yet strategic, underscores the enduring principle that God works through both the seemingly insignificant (“mouse”) and the openly powerful to confront nations with His word and shape redemptive history. Forms and Transliterations וְעַכְבּ֜וֹר ועכבור עַכְבּ֛וֹר עַכְבּ֜וֹר עַכְבּ֨וֹר עַכְבּֽוֹר׃ עַכְבּוֹר֒ עכבור עכבור׃ ‘aḵ·bō·wr ‘aḵbōwr achBor veachBor wə‘aḵbōwr wə·‘aḵ·bō·wrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 36:38 HEB: חָנָ֖ן בֶּן־ עַכְבּֽוֹר׃ NAS: the son of Achbor became king KJV: the son of Achbor reigned INT: and Baal-hanan the son of Achbor Genesis 36:39 2 Kings 22:12 2 Kings 22:14 1 Chronicles 1:49 Jeremiah 26:22 Jeremiah 36:12 7 Occurrences |
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