אֲבִי
Abi, Hezekiah's mother
Definition
Abi is the name of Hezekiah's mother, mentioned in 2 Kings 18:2 and 2 Chronicles 29:1. It is a proper noun referring specifically to this individual, who was the daughter of Zechariah. The name itself means 'my father' or is a shortened form of a longer name like Abijah ('Yahweh is my father'). In the biblical narrative, her significance is primarily genealogical, establishing Hezekiah's lineage as the king of Judah.
Biblical Usage
This word is used exclusively as a proper name for Hezekiah's mother. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, in parallel passages listing the kings of Judah: 2 Kings 18:2 and 2 Chronicles 29:1. In both contexts, it functions solely to identify her within a royal genealogy, with no narrative or dialog usage.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root אָב (ʼāv, H1), meaning 'father.' The form אֲבִי (ʼĂbîy) is a construct form meaning 'my father.' It is likely a hypocoristicon (shortened form) of a longer theophoric name such as Abijah (אֲבִיָּה, 'Yahweh is my father,' H29), which incorporates the divine name.
Semantic Range
While the name itself is not theologically loaded, its connection to King Hezekiah—one of Judah's most righteous reformers—is significant. Hezekiah's faithful reign (2 Kings 18:3-6) is partly attributed to his lineage. The name's meaning ('my father') can subtly point to the ideal of divine paternity and covenant relationship, a theme in names like Abijah. Understanding it as a shortened form highlights the common practice of embedding theological claims in personal names.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often carried meaning and expressed identity or hope. 'Abi' as a personal name reflects the patriarchal structure and the high value placed on fatherhood. As the mother of a reforming king, her mention in the official royal records underscores the importance of maternal lineage in establishing legitimate kingship, even in a predominantly patrilineal society.
Abijah (ʼĂbîyâh, H29) — A longer, theophoric name meaning 'Yahweh is my father,' of which Abi is likely a shortened form.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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