Tabrimmon
Tabrimmon was the father of Ben-hadad, the king of Syria who was an ally of Asa king of Judah.
Biography
Tabrimmon was a Syrian king of Damascus during the early period of the divided Israelite monarchy, known primarily as the father of Ben-hadad I. His name, meaning "Rimmon is good," reflects devotion to the Syrian storm deity Rimmon, revealing the polytheistic context of his reign. Though Tabrimmon himself does not appear as an active participant in the biblical narratives, his legacy is defined through his son Ben-hadad, whom King Asa of Judah enlisted as an ally against Baasha of Israel (1 Kings 15:18). The silver and gold from the temple treasury served as the diplomatic currency to secure this alliance, underscoring Tabrimmon's dynastic significance in the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East.
Significance
Tabrimmon's significance lies in his role as a dynastic link in the Aramean monarchy that repeatedly intersected with Israel's history. His son Ben-hadad became a major player in Israelite affairs, and the alliance Asa forged with that dynasty, however pragmatic, drew prophetic rebuke, illustrating the tension between political expediency and trust in God alone (2 Chronicles 16:7–9). Tabrimmon thus stands as a reminder that the surrounding nations were not merely backdrop but active instruments through whom God worked out covenant consequences for His people, whether as agents of discipline or as tools of deliverance.
Verse Appearances (1)
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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]