אֲחִימֶלֶךְ
Achimelek, the name of an Israelite and of a Hittite
Definition
אֲחִימֶלֶךְ (Achimelek) is a proper name meaning 'brother of the king.' It primarily refers to two distinct biblical figures. The most prominent is Achimelek the priest of Nob, who aided David by giving him the consecrated bread and Goliath's sword, an act for which he and his priestly family were later massacred by King Saul (1 Samuel 21:1-9, 1 Samuel 22:9-20). The name also refers to a Hittite warrior, one of David's loyal companions during his flight from Saul (1 Samuel 26:6). The shared name highlights its meaning as a title of loyalty or close service to royal authority.
Biblical Usage
The name appears 15 times, exclusively in the historical narrative of 1 Samuel. It is used in two contexts: for the priest of Nob (1 Samuel 21:1, 22:9-20) and for the Hittite in David's band (1 Samuel 26:6). The usage concerning the priest dominates the narrative, detailing his interaction with David, his interrogation by Saul, and his tragic execution, which is a pivotal moment demonstrating Saul's descent into tyranny.
Etymology
The name is a compound of two Hebrew words: אָח (ʼāch, H251), meaning 'brother,' and מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428), meaning 'king.' It is a theophoric name, but instead of incorporating a divine name (like 'El' or 'Yah'), it expresses a human relationship to royalty, meaning 'brother of the king' or 'my brother is king.' This signifies a position of high trust, intimacy, or loyalty within a royal court.
Semantic Range
Achimelek the priest's story is theologically significant. His compassionate aid to David, though technically violating ceremonial law (Matthew 12:3-4 cites this event), is portrayed positively, illustrating the principle that mercy supersedes ritual. His unjust execution underscores the grave consequences of Saul's rebellion against God's anointed (David) and God's priests, fulfilling a prophecy against Eli's house (1 Samuel 2:31-36). The narrative highlights themes of loyalty, the abuse of power, and God's protection of the righteous remnant, as Achimelek's son Abiathar escapes to join David (1 Samuel 22:20-23).
In its ancient Near Eastern context, a name meaning 'brother of the king' likely denoted a high official, advisor, or close confidant of the monarch, not necessarily a biological sibling. It signified a position of immense trust and authority within the royal administration. For the priest Achimelek, this name may have reflected his family's long-standing priestly service to the monarchy, a relationship Saul violently severed.
אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂvîymelek, H40) — A similar compound name meaning 'my father is king,' used for several Philistine kings (e.g., Genesis 20, 26).
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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