Abimael אֲבִימָאֵל
Descendant of Shem, son of Joktan
Who is Abimael in the Bible?
Abimael was a descendant of Shem and one of the sons of Joktan, appearing in the genealogies of Genesis 10:28 and 1 Chronicles 1:22. As part of the Table of Nations, he represents one of the descendants of Noah whose family spread throughout the earth following the Flood. The descendants of Joktan, including Abimael, are believed to have settled in the Arabian Peninsula. While Scripture provides no additional details about Abimael's personal life or accomplishments, his inclusion in these genealogies underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to Noah that his descendants would populate the world.
Biography
Abimael is mentioned in the genealogies of Genesis 10 and 1 Chronicles 1 as one of the sons of Joktan, a descendant of Shem, the son of Noah (Gen.10.28; 1Ch.1.22). Joktan and his descendants, including Abimael, are listed as part of the Table of Nations, which records the spread of Noah's descendants after the Flood.
The descendants of Joktan are believed to have settled in the southern regions of the Arabian Peninsula. However, no further information is provided about Abimael or his specific role in the biblical narrative. His mention in the genealogies serves to trace the lineage of the Semitic peoples and to demonstrate the fulfillment of God's promise to Noah that his descendants would spread throughout the earth after the Flood (Gen.9.1,7).
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Almodad Early PatriarchSon of JoktanSon of Joktan, descendant of ShemView full profile →
- Sheleph Early PatriarchSon of JoktanSon of Joktan, descendant of ShemView full profile →
- Hazarmaveth Early PatriarchSon of JoktanA son of Joktan, descendant of Shem.View full profile →
- Jerah Early PatriarchSon of JoktanA son of Joktan, descendant of Shem.View full profile →
- Hadoram Early PatriarchSon of JoktanSon of Joktan, a descendant of Shem.View full profile →
- Uzal Early PatriarchSon of JoktanSon of Joktan, descendant of ShemView full profile →
- Diklah Early PatriarchSon of JoktanDescendant of Shem through JoktanView full profile →
- Obal Early PatriarchSon of JoktanSon of JoktanView full profile →
- Sheba Tribe of GadSon of AbihailGadite leader during the reign of JothamView full profile →
- Ophir Early PatriarchSon of JoktanSon of JoktanView full profile →
- Havilah Early PatriarchSon of JoktanA son of Joktan, descendant of Shem.View full profile →
- Jobab Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familyA son of Elpaal, descendant of BenjaminView full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 1 verse
- Genesis 10:28
"Obal, Abimael, Sheba,"
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:22
"Obal, Abimael, Sheba,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲבִימָאֵל |
Abimael
vided (Ge 10:25-29; 1Ch 1:19-23). Like some of the other names in this list, the name is linguistically south Arabian, and the tribes indicated are south Arabians. On the Arabic elements in Hebrew proper names see Halevy, Melanges d'epigraphie et d'archeologie semitiques; ZDMG, especially early in 1883; D. H. Muller, Epigraphie Denkmaler aus Arabien; Glaser, Skizze der Gesch. und Geog. Arabiens; and by index Hommel, Ancient Hebrew Tradition; and Gray, Hebrew Proper Names; and F. Giesebrecht, Die alttestamentliche Schatzung des Gottesnamens.
Willis J. Beecher