Who was Abimelech?

The story of Abimelech

He had 70 half-brothers, all of whom were sons of Gideon and his many wives. Abimelech's main life event was his attempt to become king of Shechem. He convinced the citizens of Shechem to make him their king and then proceeded to kill all of his 70 half-brothers, except for Jotham, who escaped.

He then reigned as king for three years before being killed in battle by a woman who dropped a millstone on his head. Abimelech is best known for his role as a judge and king of Gerar. He is also remembered for his attempt to become king of Shechem and his subsequent death.

He is a cautionary tale of the dangers of ambition and power.

Name meaning

The name "Abimelech" is of Hebrew origin and appears in various historical and biblical texts. It is composed of two elements: "Ab," which means "father," and "Melech," which means "king." Therefore, the name "Abimelech" can be interpreted to mean "My Father is King" or "Father of a King." In the Bible, multiple individuals are named Abimelech: 1. **Abimelech, King of Gerar**: He appears in the Book of Genesis during the time of Abraham and later Isaac, where he interacts with both patriarchs during their respective sojourns in Gerar. 2. **Abimelech, Son of Gideon**: This Abimelech is mentioned in the Book of Judges. He was a son of Gideon and declared himself king after killing his seventy brothers. The name carries connotations of leadership or authority, given its implication of kingship or royal lineage

Name origin

Hebrew

Role

King of Israel

First mention

Genesis 20:2

Appearances in the Bible

62 mentions

Questions about Abimelech