Abiel אֲבִיאֵל
Father of Kish and grandfather of King Saul
Who is Abiel in the Bible?
Abiel was a Benjaminite and the father of Kish, making him the grandfather of King Saul, Israel's first king (1 Samuel 9:1). He is described in scripture as a mighty man of power, establishing him as a significant figure in the lineage leading to Israel's monarchy. In the genealogical records of 1 Chronicles, Abiel is also referred to by alternate names including Jeiel, Ner, and Abigibeon, suggesting he may have been known by multiple designations or that variant traditions were preserved in different texts. Though relatively obscure himself, Abiel's historical importance lies in his position as the patriarch of the royal line through which God established the kingship of Israel.
Biography
Abiel, also referred to as Jeiel, Ner, or Abigibeon (or '[re]-founder of Gibeon'), was a Benjaminite and the father of Kish, who was the father of King Saul, Israel's first king. In 1Sa.9.1, Abiel is mentioned as the father of Kish and is described as a mighty man of power. The genealogies in 1 Chronicles 8 and 9 provide additional information about Abiel's family.
In 1Ch.8.33 and 1Ch.9.39, he is called Ner, while in 1Ch.8.29 and 1Ch.9.35, he is referred to as Jeiel and Abigibeon or '[re]-founder of Gibeon'. These variations in names suggest that he may have been known by multiple names or that there might have been some discrepancies in the genealogical records. Abiel's son Kish became the father of Saul, who was anointed as the first king of Israel by the prophet Samuel.
Family
Offspring
- Kish Tribe of LeviSon of MahliA Levite from the Merari clanView full profile →
- Ner Tribe of BenjaminAbner's fatherFather of Abner, King Saul's commander.View full profile →
- Abdon Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Abiel (or 'Jeiel') from GibeonView full profile →
- Zur Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Abiel, a BenjamiteView full profile →
- Baal Tribe of ReubenSon of ReaiahA descendant of Reuben.View full profile →
- Nadab Tribe of JudahSon of ShammaiSon of Shammai, from the tribe of Judah.View full profile →
- Gedor Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Abiel, the founder of Gibeon.View full profile →
- Ahio Tribe of BenjaminSon of AbielSon of Abiel (or 'Jeiel'), a BenjamiteView full profile →
- Zecher Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familySon of Abiel, founder of GibeonView full profile →
- Mikloth Tribe of BenjaminSon of AbielA Benjamite, son of Eshek.View full profile →
- Gibeon
In Scripture
2 biblical books1 Samuel 2 verses
- 1 Samuel 9:1
"Now there was a Benjamite, a powerful man, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin."
- 1 Samuel 14:51
"Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons of Abiel."
1 Chronicles 4 verses
- 1 Chronicles 9:35
"Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah."
- 1 Chronicles 8:33
"Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal."
- 1 Chronicles 9:39
"Ner was the father of Kish, Kish was the father of Saul, and Saul was the father of Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal."
- 1 Chronicles 8:29
"Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲבִיאֵל |
| Named | Hebrew | יְעִיאֵל |
| (same ref[s] as previous) | Hebrew | יְעוּאֵל |
| Named | Hebrew | נֵר |
| Name combined | Hebrew | גִבְעוֹן+H0001I«H0001=אֲבִי |
Abiel
ther of Saul's general, Abner (1Sa 9:1; 14:51).
(2) One of David's mighty men (1Ch 11:32), called ABI-ALBON, which see, in 2Sa 23:31.
ab-i-e'-zer, a-bi-e'-zer ('abhi`ezer, "father of help," or "my father is help." Iezer, Iezerite (in the King James Version Jeezer, Jeezerite), is Abiezer with the letter beth omitted):
(1) A descendant of Joseph