אֲבִישָׁלוֹם
Abshalom, a son of David; also (the fuller form) a later Israelite
Definition
Absalom is a proper name meaning 'father of peace' or 'my father is peace.' In the Old Testament, it primarily refers to Absalom, the third son of King David, known for his striking appearance, rebellion against his father, and tragic death (2 Samuel 13-18). The name also appears in a shortened form, Abishalom, referring to the father of Maacah, who was the wife of King Rehoboam and mother of King Abijam (1 Kings 15:2, 10; 2 Chronicles 11:20-21). This later usage shows the name continued as a traditional Israelite name.
Biblical Usage
The name is used 91 times, overwhelmingly in the narrative of 2 Samuel 13-19, detailing Absalom's life, his vengeance for his sister Tamar, his conspiracy against David, and his demise. It appears in genealogical contexts in 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. The usage patterns focus on familial relationships, political rebellion, and the tragic consequences of sin within the royal house of David.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew roots אָב (ʾāv, H1), meaning 'father,' and שָׁלוֹם (shālôm, H7965), meaning 'peace,' 'wholeness,' or 'well-being.' The name is a compound meaning 'father of peace' or 'my father is peace.' The shortened form אַבְשָׁלוֹם (ʾAvshālôm) is also attested.
Semantic Range
The story of Absalom is a profound narrative on the consequences of sin, the fracture of a family, and the sorrow of a king. It illustrates themes of justice delayed (2 Samuel 13-14), the price of David's sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:10-12), and the complex interplay of divine sovereignty and human rebellion. Understanding the name's meaning ('father of peace') creates a tragic irony against his life of conflict and serves as a sobering study in the failure of human potential.
Names in ancient Israel often carried significant meaning or expressed a hope or characteristic. 'Absalom' reflects a parental desire for a child to embody or bring peace. The narrative highlights cultural values around family honor, vengeance, and royal succession. His famous long hair (2 Samuel 14:26) was a symbol of male beauty and vitality in the ancient Near East, making his death by having his hair caught in a tree particularly poignant.
שָׁלוֹם (shālôm, H7965) — The root word for 'peace,' from which the name's second element is derived. אָב (ʾāv, H1) — The root word for 'father,' from which the name's first element is derived.
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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