Ahimaaz
Ahimaaz was the father of Ahinoam, who was the wife of King Saul. (1Sa.14.50)
Biography
This Ahimaaz is recorded as the father of Ahinoam in 1 Samuel 14:50, which identifies Ahinoam as the wife of King Saul, Israel's first monarch. Beyond this single genealogical notation, Scripture provides no additional biographical details about Ahimaaz himself, his tribe, occupation, or personal history are not recorded. His name, which means 'my brother is anger' or possibly 'my brother is counsel,' was a common enough name in ancient Israel, shared by at least two other biblical figures. His significance rests entirely in his connection to the royal family of Israel through his daughter, who became queen consort to Saul. Ahinoam bore Saul's children, including Jonathan, Ishbosheth, and others who played central roles in the tumultuous narrative of the early monarchy.
Significance
Ahimaaz the father of Ahinoam occupies one of Scripture's many quiet backstage roles, a man whose identity is preserved only in relation to those he raised and the royal house he entered through his daughter's marriage. Yet his paternity carries theological weight: through Ahinoam, Ahimaaz was bound to the household of Israel's first king and became grandfather, in some sense, to the tragic dynasty of Saul. Jonathan, Saul's most celebrated son, was renowned for his covenant friendship with David and his selfless courage, qualities that may have been nurtured partly through the character of his mother's family. Ahimaaz reminds readers that behind every great figure in Scripture are parents and family members whose quiet faithfulness shapes the people God uses for his redemptive purposes.
Verse Appearances (1)
1Sam
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]