עַמִּיזָבָד

עַמִּיזָבָד

Ammizabad, an Israelite

Definition

Ammizabad is a proper name of an Israelite mentioned only once in the Old Testament. He was the son of Benaiah, one of King David's mighty men and a chief military commander (1 Chronicles 27:6). The name itself means 'my people has endowed' or 'people of endowment,' signifying a gift or blessing from the community. In his sole biblical appearance, Ammizabad is noted as leading a division of 24,000 men in David's monthly military rotation, indicating he held a position of significant leadership and trust within the royal army.

Biblical Usage

The name Ammizabad is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 27:6. It appears in a specific administrative and military context—the list of commanders who served King David. This chapter details the organization of David's army into twelve divisions, each serving one month of the year. Ammizabad is identified as the son of Benaiah and the commander of his father's division for the third month, highlighting a system of hereditary or delegated military leadership.

Etymology

The name Ammizabad (עַמִּיזָבָד) is a compound of two Hebrew elements. It derives from 'am' (עַם, H5971), meaning 'people' or 'nation,' and 'zabad' (זָבַד, H2064), a verb meaning 'to endow,' 'to give,' or 'to bestow.' Thus, the name can be interpreted as 'my people has endowed' or 'people of endowment.' It follows a common Hebrew naming pattern where 'am' is prefixed, indicating a relationship or gift from the community or God to the individual.

Semantic Range

While the individual Ammizabad is not a major theological figure, his mention contributes to the biblical theme of faithful service and divinely ordained leadership within the community of God's people. His role in David's organized army reflects the importance of order, responsibility, and collective defense for the nation of Israel under God's covenant. The meaning of his name, 'people of endowment,' subtly points to the concept that individuals and their abilities are gifts within the communal life of Israel. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, names were often descriptive and carried significant meaning, reflecting hopes, circumstances, or divine attributes. Ammizabad's name, implying a gift from the people, may indicate he was seen as a blessing to his family or community. His military role reflects the transition of Israel from a tribal confederation to a monarchical state with a standing army, where leadership was often familial, as seen in him serving under his father Benaiah, a renowned hero. Benaiah (Bᵊnāyâ, H1141) — Ammizabad's father, also a military commander and mighty man. Asahel (ʿĂśâhēl, H6214) — Another of David's mighty men and a military commander, mentioned in the same chapter (1 Chronicles 27:7).

Word Details