Phicol פִּיכֹל
Commander of Abimelech's army
Who is Phicol in the Bible?
Phicol was the commander of the army of Abimelech, the Philistine king of Gerar, and appears in Genesis as a key figure in diplomatic negotiations between the Philistines and the Hebrew patriarchs. He first accompanied Abimelech when they approached Abraham to establish a peace treaty, during which Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs as a witness to his ownership of a well at Beersheba (Genesis 21:22-32). Years later, Phicol again appears with Abimelech and the king's advisor Ahuzzath when they sought a similar treaty with Isaac after he had reopened the ancestral wells (Genesis 26:26). His repeated presence in these covenant accounts underscores the importance of these agreements and demonstrates how the patriarchs maintained peaceful relations with neighboring powers through formal treaties and witnesses.
Biography
Phicol was the commander of the army of Abimelech, the Philistine king of Gerar. He is mentioned twice in the book of Genesis, both times in the context of treaties made between Abimelech and the patriarchs.
In Gen.21.22-32, Phicol accompanied Abimelech when they approached Abraham to make a treaty, acknowledging that God was with Abraham in all that he did. As part of the treaty, Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs as a witness that he had dug a well, which was named Beersheba.
Later, in Gen.26.26, Phicol again accompanied Abimelech, along with Ahuzzath, Abimelech's advisor, when they came to make a treaty with Isaac. This event took place after Isaac had reopened the wells dug by his father, Abraham, and had settled in Beersheba.
Phicol's presence in these narratives suggests that he was a trusted official in Abimelech's court and played a significant role in diplomatic relations with the patriarchs.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentGenesis 3 verses
- Genesis 21:22
"At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 21:32
"After they had made the covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army got up and returned to the land of the Philistines."
Study Genesis → - Genesis 26:26
"Later, Abimelech came to Isaac from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army."
Study Genesis →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | פִּיכֹל |