H0040H

אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ

a.vi.me.lekhN:N-M-P

Abimelech

A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.8.31; son of: Gideon (H1439); brother of: Jether (H3500) and Jotham (H3147) § Abimelech = "Melek is father" or "my father is king" 1) king of Gerar in Abraham's time 2) king of Gath in David's time; maybe title of Philistine kings 3) son of Gideon by a concubine 4) priest, son of Abiathar

Full Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon entry

אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ proper name, masculine (Melek (= Malik, Molech) is father) — אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ Gen 20:18 + —

1. king of Gerar Gen 20:2; Gen 20:3; Gen 20:4 +, Gen 21:22; Gen 21:25 (twice in verse) +, Gen 26:1; Gen 26:8 + (24 t. Genesis).

2. king of Gath Psalm Gen 34:1 error for אָכִישׁ, compare 1Sam 21:11 f; — a better known Philistine name substituted for a less known (Hup³). > Others (Thes Ol De MV) think a title of Philistine kings, compare Pharaoh.

3. son of Gideon Judg 8:31; Judg 9:1; Judg 9:3; Judg 9:4 +, Judg 10:1 (40 t. Judges), 2Sam 11:21.

4. priest, son of Abiathar 1Chr 18:16 error for אֲחִימֶלֶח q. v. (Sabean also proper name, feminine Osiander^{ZMG 1865, 209}).