Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Abiel" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my father" or "my father is God." It reflects a theophoric element, common in Hebrew names, which attributes a relationship or characteristic to God.

Biblical References:
Abiel is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of 1 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. He is noted as an ancestor of significant biblical figures.

1. 1 Samuel 9:1 : "Now there was a man of Benjamin named Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite of standing."
In this passage, Abiel is identified as the grandfather of Saul, the first king of Israel. Kish, Saul's father, is described as the son of Abiel, establishing Abiel's place in the genealogy of the tribe of Benjamin.

2. 1 Samuel 14:50-51 : "The name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam daughter of Ahimaaz. The name of the commander of his army was Abner son of Ner, and Ner was the son of Abiel."
Here, Abiel is mentioned as the father of Ner, making him the great-grandfather of Saul and the grandfather of Abner, the commander of Saul's army. This connection highlights Abiel's role in the lineage of influential leaders in Israel.

3. 1 Chronicles 8:33 : "Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal."
Although Abiel is not directly mentioned in this verse, the genealogy aligns with the information provided in 1 Samuel, confirming his position in the family tree.

4. 1 Chronicles 9:36 : "And his firstborn son was Abdon, followed by Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth."
This verse lists the descendants of Ner, further corroborating the genealogical details that include Abiel as an ancestor.

Historical and Theological Context:
Abiel's mention in the genealogies of 1 Samuel and 1 Chronicles places him within the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. His descendants, including Saul and Abner, played pivotal roles in the early monarchy of Israel. The genealogical records serve to establish the legitimacy and heritage of Saul's kingship, as well as the tribal affiliations that were significant in the socio-political landscape of ancient Israel.

Cultural Significance:
Names like Abiel, which incorporate the name of God, reflect the deep spiritual and cultural values of the Hebrew people. Such names were often given with the hope or acknowledgment of divine favor or presence in one's life. Abiel's lineage, leading to the first king of Israel, underscores the importance of family heritage and divine providence in the biblical narrative.

Related Entries:
· Saul
· Kish
· Abner
· Tribe of Benjamin
· Israelite Monarchy

Note:
The genealogical records in the Bible often serve multiple purposes, including establishing historical context, affirming tribal and familial identities, and demonstrating the fulfillment of divine promises. Abiel's inclusion in these records highlights his role in the foundational history of Israel's monarchy.Abiel

God my father

Father (i.e., "possessor") of God = "pious."

(1.) The son of Zeror and father of Ner, who was the grandfather of Saul (1 Samuel 14:51; 1 Chronicles 8:33; 9:39). In 1 Samuel 9:1, he is called the "father," probably meaning the grandfather, of Kish.

(2.) An Arbathite, one of David's warriors (1 Chronicles 11:32); called also Abi-albon (2 Samuel 23:31).

ABIEL

a'-bi-el, ab'-yel, a-bi'-el ('abhi'el, "my father is God," or "God is father"):

(1) A descendant of Benjamin the son of Jacob. Father of Kish the father of King Saul, and also, apparently, the father of Ner the father of Saul's general, Abner (1 Samuel 9:1; 1 Samuel 14:51).

(2) One of David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:32), called ABI-ALBON, which see, in 2 Samuel 23:31.

22. Abiel -- "El is my father," an Israelite name
... Abiel. 23 . "El is my father," an Israelite name. Transliteration: Abiel Phonetic
Spelling: (ab-ee-ale') Short Definition: Abiel. ... name NASB Word Usage Abiel (3 ...
/hebrew/22.htm - 6k

Holmes
... the son of Rev. Abiel Holmes, DD, a Congregational minister, and was born
in Cambridge, Mass., August 29, 1809. He was graduated ...
//christianbookshelf.org/nutter/hymn writers of the church/holmes.htm

Abiel (4 Occurrences)
...ABIEL. a'-bi-el, ab'-yel, a-bi'-el ('abhi'el, "my father is God," or "God is father"):
(1) A descendant of Benjamin the son of Jacob. ...Abiel (4 Occurrences). ...
/a/abiel.htm - 8k

Kish (18 Occurrences)
... 2:5). (5.) A Benjamite, the son of Abiel, and father of king Saul (1 Samuel
9:1, 3; 10:11, 21; 14:51; 2 Samuel 21:14). All that ...
/k/kish.htm - 15k

Abi'el (3 Occurrences)
Abi'el. Abiel, Abi'el. Abiezer . ... (See RSV). 1 Samuel 14:51 And Kish was the
father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel. (See RSV). ...
/a/abi'el.htm - 7k

Arbathite (2 Occurrences)
... A name given to Abi-albon, or, as elsewhere called, Abiel, one of David's warriors
(2 Samuel 23:31; 1 Chronicles 11:32), probably as being an inhabitant of ...
/a/arbathite.htm - 7k

Ner (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 14:51 should be read, "Kish, the father of Saul, and Ner, the father of
Abner, were the sons of Abiel." And hence this Kish and Ner were brothers, and ...
/n/ner.htm - 13k

Abi-albon (1 Occurrence)
... Father of strength; ie, "valiant", one of David's body-guard of thirty mighty men
(2 Samuel 23:31); called also Abiel (1 Chronicles 11:32). Int. ...
/a/abi-albon.htm - 7k

Abialbon (1 Occurrence)
... Father of strength; ie, "valiant", one of David's body-guard of thirty mighty men
(2 Samuel 23:31); called also Abiel (1 Chronicles 11:32). Int. ...
/a/abialbon.htm - 7k

Abner (54 Occurrences)
... Eshbaal). He was Saul's cousin; Ner the father of Abner and Kish the father
of Saul being brothers, the sons of Abiel (1 Samuel 14:50). ...
/a/abner.htm - 30k

Baal (94 Occurrences)
... compare 1 Samuel 14:50f). These passages identify Jeiel and Abiel as the
father of Kish and thus of Baal. For study of confusions ...
/b/baal.htm - 53k

Saul (371 Occurrences)
... In 1 Samuel 9:1 his grandfather is Abiel, but in 1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Chronicles
9:39, Ner, who appears as his paternal uncle in 1 Samuel 14:50, 51. ...
/s/saul.htm - 76k

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