Name Meaning: The name Abi'jah (also spelled Abijah) means "Yahweh is my father" or "My father is Yahweh" in Hebrew. It reflects a theophoric element, incorporating the divine name Yahweh.

Biblical References:

1. Abi'jah, Son of Rehoboam: Abi'jah was the son of Rehoboam and the second king of the southern kingdom of Judah. His reign is recorded in 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13. He ruled for three years, and his reign is noted for the war against Jeroboam, the king of Israel. Despite his short reign, Abi'jah is remembered for his speech on Mount Zemaraim, where he appealed to the Israelites to remain faithful to the covenant with Yahweh. The Berean Standard Bible records his reign: "In the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, Abijah became king of Judah, and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom" (1 Kings 15:1-2).

2. Abi'jah, Son of Samuel: Abi'jah was one of the sons of the prophet Samuel. He, along with his brother Joel, served as a judge in Beersheba. However, they were known for their corrupt practices, which led to the Israelites' demand for a king. This account is found in 1 Samuel 8:1-5. The BSB states: "But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, accepted bribes, and perverted justice" (1 Samuel 8:3).

3. Abi'jah, Descendant of Eleazar: Abi'jah is also the name of a priestly division among the descendants of Aaron, specifically from the line of Eleazar. This division is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 24:10, where the priestly duties were organized by King David. The BSB notes: "the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah" (1 Chronicles 24:10).

4. Abi'jah, Wife of Hezron: In 1 Chronicles 2:24, Abi'jah is mentioned as the wife of Hezron, a descendant of Judah. This reference is part of the genealogical records that trace the lineage of the tribe of Judah.

5. Abi'jah, Mother of Hezekiah: In 2 Chronicles 29:1, Abi'jah is identified as the mother of King Hezekiah, one of the most righteous kings of Judah. She was the daughter of Zechariah. The BSB records: "Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah" (2 Chronicles 29:1).

Historical and Theological Significance:

Abi'jah's various mentions in the Bible highlight different aspects of Israel's history, from the monarchy to the priesthood. As a king, Abi'jah's reign was marked by conflict and a call to faithfulness to Yahweh. His association with the priestly division underscores the importance of organized worship and service in the temple. The narrative of Samuel's son Abi'jah serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of corruption and the consequences of straying from divine justice. Each mention of Abi'jah contributes to the broader tapestry of Israel's religious and political history.Abi'jah (26 Occurrences)

Matthew 1:7
and Solomon begat Rehoboam, and Rehoboam begat Abijah, and Abijah begat Asa,
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Luke 1:5
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest, by name Zacharias, of the course of Abijah, and his wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name Elisabeth;
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1 Samuel 8:2
Now the name of his first-born was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beer-sheba.
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1 Kings 14:1
At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick.
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1 Chronicles 3:10
And Solomon's son was Rehoboam; Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son;
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1 Chronicles 6:28
And the sons of Samuel: the first-born Vashni; then Abiah.
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1 Chronicles 7:8
And the sons of Becher: Zemirah, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jeremoth, and Abijah, and Anathoth, and Alemeth. All these were the sons of Becher.
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1 Chronicles 24:10
the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah;
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2 Chronicles 11:20
And after her he took Maacah the daughter of Absalom; and she bore him Abijah, and Attai, and Ziza, and Shelomith.
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2 Chronicles 11:22
And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, even the prince among his brethren; for he was minded to make him king.
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2 Chronicles 12:16
And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David; and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.
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2 Chronicles 13:1
In the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam began Abijah to reign over Judah.
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2 Chronicles 13:2
Three years reigned he in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Micaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam.
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2 Chronicles 13:3
And Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men; and Jeroboam set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, who were mighty men of valour.
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2 Chronicles 13:4
And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill-country of Ephraim, and said: 'Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel;
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2 Chronicles 13:15
Then the men of Judah gave a shout; and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
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2 Chronicles 13:17
And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter; so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
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2 Chronicles 13:19
And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephrain with the towns thereof.
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2 Chronicles 13:20
Neither did Jeroboam recover strength again in the days of Abijah; and the LORD smote him, and he died.
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2 Chronicles 13:21
But Abijah waxed mighty, and took unto himself fourteen wives, and begot twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.
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2 Chronicles 13:22
And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the commentary of the prophet Iddo.
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2 Chronicles 14:1
So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David, and Asa his son reigned in his stead; in his days the land was quiet ten years.
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2 Chronicles 29:1
Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old; and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah.
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Nehemiah 10:7
Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin;
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Nehemiah 12:4
Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah;
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Nehemiah 12:17
of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin; of Moadiah, Piltai;
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Abi'jah (26 Occurrences)
Abi'jah. Abijah, Abi'jah. Abijah's . Multi-Version Concordance Abi'jah
(26 Occurrences). Matthew 1:7 and Solomon begat Rehoboam, and ...
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Abijah (32 Occurrences)

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Abijah's (3 Occurrences)

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