עׇמְרִי
Omri, an Israelite
Definition
Omri is the name of a significant Israelite king who ruled the northern kingdom of Israel in the 9th century BC. He is primarily known as the father of the infamous King Ahab and the founder of a powerful, albeit idolatrous, dynasty (1 Kings 16:21-28). The name also refers to other minor biblical figures, including a descendant of Benjamin (1 Chronicles 7:8) and a leader in the tribe of Issachar during David's reign (1 Chronicles 27:18). In all cases, it functions as a personal name without varying semantic senses.
Biblical Usage
The name Omri is used exclusively as a proper noun for individuals in the Old Testament. Its most prominent usage is for King Omri, appearing 12 times in 1 Kings 16, detailing his military coup, reign, establishment of Samaria as the capital, and his legacy of evil. It appears four other times in genealogical or historical lists in 1 Chronicles (7:8; 9:4; 27:18) and Micah 6:16, which references the 'statutes of Omri'—his idolatrous policies.
Etymology
The name Omri (עׇמְרִי) is derived from the Hebrew root עָמַר (ʿāmar, H6014), meaning 'to heap up' or 'to bind sheaves.' It is likely a shortened form of a longer name meaning 'Yahweh is my sheaf' or 'servant of Yahweh,' though the theophoric element is not present in the biblical form. As a personal name, it reflects a common practice of using words related to agriculture or abundance.
Semantic Range
King Omri represents a pivotal and negative turning point in Israel's spiritual history. His reign solidified idolatry and political corruption, setting the stage for his son Ahab's greater evil and the prophetic confrontations of Elijah. Understanding Omri highlights the biblical theme of leadership consequences, as his 'statutes' (Micah 6:16) became synonymous with covenant rebellion. His dynasty exemplifies how political success (noted even in Assyrian records) is judged by God based on covenant faithfulness, not worldly power.
In the ancient Near East, Omri was a historically significant figure. Extrabiblical sources, like the Mesha Stele and Assyrian records ('House of Omri'), confirm his power and the longevity of his dynasty's name as a designation for Israel. Culturally, his purchase of the hill of Samaria and establishment of it as a new capital (1 Kings 16:24) was a major political and architectural move, shifting the kingdom's center and creating a lasting legacy separate from the tribal inheritances.
Ahab (אַחְאָב, H256) — Omri's son and successor, whose reign is more extensively detailed for its idolatry and conflict with prophets. Jeroboam (יָרָבְעָם, H3379) — Another king of Israel who established idolatrous worship, providing a parallel to Omri's evil legacy.
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.
Full methodology & sources →