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H21 · Hebrew · Old Testament
אֲבִי
Abi
Proper noun (name)
Abi (My Father / Father of)

Definition

The Hebrew proper noun Abi (אֲבִי) is a personal name meaning "My Father" or possibly "(The LORD is) my Father." The name appears in 2 Kings 18:2 as the name of Hezekiah's mother, daughter of Zechariah. She is also called Abijah (H29) in 2 Chronicles 29:1, the longer form of the same name. The name reflects the ancient Hebrew practice of embedding theological confession in personal names.

Usage & Theological Significance

The name Abi — "My Father" — speaks to the deeply personal nature of Israel's relationship with God. In an era when the nations named their children after Baal, Molech, or Asherah, Israelite names like Abi, Abijah, and Abraham declared allegiance to the covenant God. Hezekiah's mother bore a name that proclaimed God as Father — and Hezekiah himself became one of Judah's most faithful kings (2 Kings 18:5). The name anticipates the fullness revealed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches His disciples to address God as Abba, Father (Romans 8:15). The family relationship with God that Israel glimpsed is made fully accessible in Christ.

Key Bible Verses

2 Kings 18:2
He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother's name was Abi daughter of Zechariah.
2 Chronicles 29:1
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.
Romans 8:15
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
Galatians 4:6
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
Matthew 6:9
This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name."

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