Abital
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Topical Encyclopedia
Name Meaning: The name "Abital" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "my father is dew" or "father of dew." This name reflects a poetic imagery often found in Hebrew names, where "dew" symbolizes freshness, blessing, and life-giving qualities.

Biblical References: Abital is mentioned in the context of the royal family of King David. She is one of David's wives and the mother of one of his sons.

Scriptural Citations:

1. 2 Samuel 3:4 : "The fifth was Shephatiah the son of Abital."

2. 1 Chronicles 3:3 : "The fifth was Shephatiah by Abital, and the sixth was Ithream by David’s wife Eglah."

Context and Significance:

· Role in David's Family: Abital is listed among the wives of King David during his reign in Hebron. She is the mother of Shephatiah, one of David's sons. Her mention in the genealogical records highlights her role in the lineage of David, although she is not as prominently featured as some of David's other wives, such as Bathsheba or Abigail.

· Historical and Cultural Background: In the ancient Near Eastern context, royal marriages often served political purposes, solidifying alliances and ensuring the continuation of dynastic lines. While the Bible does not provide extensive details about Abital's life or her relationship with David, her inclusion in the genealogical records underscores her importance in the royal household.

· Genealogical Importance: The genealogies in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles serve to document the lineage of David, which is significant for understanding the history of Israel's monarchy and the fulfillment of God's promises to David. Abital's son, Shephatiah, is part of this lineage, although he does not play a major role in the biblical narrative.

Theological Implications: The mention of Abital, like other figures in the genealogies, contributes to the broader biblical theme of God's providence and the unfolding of His plan through the generations. Each individual, including those with brief mentions like Abital, is part of the tapestry of God's redemptive history.

Related Entries: David, Shephatiah, Hebron, Genealogy of David, Royal Wives of David.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Abital

the father of the dew; or of the shadow

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Abital

(father of the dew), one of David's wives. (2 Samuel 3:4; 1 Chronicles 3:3)

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Father of dew; i.e., "fresh", David's fifth wife (2 Samuel 3:4).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ABITAL

ab'-i-tal, a-bi'-tal ('abhiTal, "my father is dew"): One of the wives of King David. In the duplicated list (2 Samuel 3:4 1 Chronicles 3:3) in which the sons born to David in Hebron are mentioned and numbered, the fifth is said to be Shephatiah the son of Abital.

Strong's Hebrew
37. Abital -- "my father is (the) dew," a wife of David
... 36, 37. Abital. 38 . "my father is (the) dew," a wife of David. Transliteration:
Abital Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee-tal') Short Definition: Abital. ...
/hebrew/37.htm - 6k
Library

How David Reigned Over one Tribe at Hebron While the Son Of
... Absalom, by Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; the fourth he named
Adonijah, by his wife Haggith; the fifth was Shephatiah, by Abital; the sixth ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how david reigned.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Thesaurus
Abital (2 Occurrences)
...ABITAL. ab'-i-tal, a-bi'-tal ('abhiTal, "my father is dew"): One of the wives
of King David. ... Multi-Version Concordance Abital (2 Occurrences). ...
/a/abital.htm - 7k

Shephatiah (13 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Judged of the Lord. (1.) A son of David by Abital (2 Samuel
3:4). (2.) A Benjamite who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:5). ...
/s/shephatiah.htm - 12k

Abi'tal (2 Occurrences)
Abi'tal. Abital, Abi'tal. Abitub . ... 2 Samuel 3:4 and the fourth, Adonijah the
son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; (See RSV). ...
/a/abi'tal.htm - 6k

Shephati'ah (12 Occurrences)
... Shephati'ah (12 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 3:4 and the fourth, Adonijah the son of
Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; (See RSV). ...
/s/shephati'ah.htm - 9k

Fifth (65 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 3:4 and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah
the son of Abital; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/fifth.htm - 28k

Ith'ream (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ith'ream (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 3:3 the fifth,
Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife. (See RSV). ...
/i/ith'ream.htm - 6k

Ithream (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 3:3 the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by
Eglah his wife: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/i/ithream.htm - 7k

Eglah (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 3:3 the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah
his wife: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/e/eglah.htm - 7k

Abisum
Abisum. Abisue, Abisum. Abital . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ABISUM.
ab'-i-sum. See ABISUE (Apocrypha). Abisue, Abisum. Abital . Reference Bible.
/a/abisum.htm - 6k

Adoni'jah (26 Occurrences)
... Adoni'jah (26 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 3:4 and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;
and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; (See RSV). ...
/a/adoni'jah.htm - 13k

Resources
Who are the sons of David mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

How many children did King David have? | GotQuestions.org

How many wives did King David have? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Abital (2 Occurrences)

2 Samuel 3:4
and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 3:3
the fifth, Shephatiah of Abital; the sixth, Ithream by Eglah his wife:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Abital

Abital: Wife of David

Related Terms

Abital (2 Occurrences)

Abitub (1 Occurrence)

Abisum
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