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H31 · Hebrew · Old Testament
אֲבִיהַיִל
Abiykhayil
Proper noun (name)
Abihail (My Father is strength / might)

Definition

The Hebrew proper name Abiykhayil (אֲבִיהַיִל) means "My Father is strength" or "Father of might" — from ab (father) and khayil (strength, valor, army). The name appears for both men and women in the Old Testament: a Levite (Numbers 3:35), a wife of Abishur (1 Chronicles 2:29), a Gadite (1 Chronicles 5:14), a relative of Esther (Esther 2:15), and more.

Usage & Theological Significance

The name Abihail — "My Father is strength" — belongs to a cluster of Hebrew names that confess God's power as the foundation of identity (Uzziah = "The LORD is my strength"; El-gibbar = "God is mighty"). In naming children this way, Israelite families made a daily declaration that their security and valor came from God, not from human capacity. This is the spirit of Psalm 18:1-2: "I love you, LORD, my strength..." and Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." The name Abihail, borne by multiple people across generations, testifies to the enduring conviction: God is our strength.

Key Bible Verses

Numbers 3:35
The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail.
Esther 2:15
When the turn came for Esther (the young woman Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king...
1 Chronicles 5:14
These were the sons of Abihail son of Huri, the son of Jaroah...
Psalm 18:1-2
I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Related Words

External Resources

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