Who was Ahoah in the Bible?

Ahoah was a descendant of the tribe of Benjamin, noted as the ancestor of a clan known as the Ahohites. His descendants included several of King David's mighty warriors, such as Eleazar and Zalmon (1 Chronicles 8:4; 2 Samuel 23:9, 28).

What is the significance of the Ahohites?

The Ahohites, as descendants of Ahoah, were a notable military clan in Israel. Their significance lies in their members serving as elite warriors in David's army, contributing to his military successes (1 Chronicles 11:12, 29; 27:4).

What key events involved Ahoah's descendants?

Key events involve the heroic acts of Ahohite warriors like Eleazar, who fought valiantly alongside David in battles against the Philistines (2 Samuel 23:9-10). Another descendant, Zalmon, is also listed among David's thirty mighty men (2 Samuel 23:28).

Ahoah

Old TestamentEgypt & WildernessMaleDavid's warrior

The Ahohites, descendants of Ahoah of Benjamin, were a clan that included some of David's mighty men, such as Eleazar and Zalmon. (2Sa.23.9,28; 1Ch.8.4; 11.12,29; 27.4)

Ahoah

Biography

Ahoah was a son of Bela, the firstborn of Benjamin, and is listed in the Benjamite genealogy of 1 Chronicles 8:4. He gave his name to the Ahohite clan, a Benjamite family that became notable for producing several of David's most distinguished warriors. The Ahohites mentioned in connection with David's mighty men include Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite (2 Sam. 23:9; 1 Chr. 11:12), who performed one of the three greatest feats among the warriors by holding his ground against the Philistines until his hand was frozen to his sword, and Zalmon the Ahohite (2 Sam. 23:28; 1 Chr. 11:29). A certain Ilai the Ahohite also appears in 1 Chronicles 11:29. The clan's martial reputation made the name Ahohite synonymous with elite military courage in David's era.

Significance

Ahoah's legacy endures through his descendants, the Ahohites, whose remarkable military service to David illustrates the unexpected ways God raises up fighters for his anointed king from the smallest and least expected sources. Benjamin, the smallest of Jacob's sons, was a tribe that punched far above its weight in Israel's military history, from the left-handed judge Ehud (Judg. 3:15) to Saul and Jonathan, and now to the Ahohite warriors of David's court. Eleazar the Ahohite in particular is celebrated as one of only three men worthy of the highest honor among David's heroes (2 Sam. 23:8–23), standing his ground when others fled and winning a great victory, a model of steadfastness in service to God's purposes.

Verse Appearances (6)

2 Samuel

2 Samuel 23:9 2 Samuel 23:28

1 Chronicles

1 Chronicles 8:4 1 Chronicles 11:12 1 Chronicles 11:29 1 Chronicles 27:4

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]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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