256. Achab
Lexical Summary
Achab: Ahab

Original Word: אַחְאָב
Part of Speech: proper name, masculine
Transliteration: Ach'ab
Pronunciation: ah-KHAHV
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-awb')
KJV: Ahab
NASB: Ahab, Ahab's
Word Origin: [from H251 (אָח - brother) and H1 (אָב - father)]

1. brother (i.e. friend) of (his) father
2. Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Ahab

Once (by contraction) oechab (Jer. 29:22) {ekh- awb'}; from 'ach and 'ab; brother (i.e. Friend) of (his) father; Achab, the name of a king of Israel and of a prophet at Babylon -- Ahab.

see HEBREW 'ach

see HEBREW 'ab

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from ach and ab
Definition
"father's brother," a king of Isr., also a false prophet
NASB Translation
Ahab (91), Ahab's (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אַחְאָב91 proper name, masculine Ahab (father's brother; = אחיאבZMG 1886, 172, Ἀχίαβος was a nephew of Herod; compare like name in Syriac, given ob maximum cum parte suo similitudinem, BarHebrChron. Ecclesiastes 2.23 compare LCB1879, 1339. In many cases, however, the meaning of proper names compared with אח is dubious, & perfect consistency, especially in comparison with compounds of אָב, seems impossible; compare remark below אביאל and further WeSkizzen, iii. 1 f, DlPr. cap. vi) — אַחְאָב1Kings 16:28 +; וּכְאֶחָב Jeremiah 29:22

1 son of Omri, king of Isr. 1 Kings 16:28,29; 1 Kings 18:1,2,3; 1 Kings 20:2,13,14 41t. 1Kings, 27 t. 2Kings, 14 t. 2 Chronicles; Micah 6:16.

2 false prophet, time of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 29:21,22.

אַחָב see אַחְאָב.

Topical Lexicon
Historical Background

Ahab ascended the throne of the northern kingdom of Israel in the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah and reigned twenty-two years in Samaria (1 Kings 16:29). His rule falls within the ninth century B.C., during a period of political consolidation begun by his father Omri. Strategically positioned between Aram-Damascus to the north and Judah to the south, Ahab pursued an expansive foreign policy, fortified cities, and developed Samaria into a cosmopolitan capital.

Family and Dynasty

Ahab was the son of Omri and the husband of Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal king of Sidon. Their marriage forged an alliance with Phoenicia, but it also imported Baalistic religion into Israel. His sons Ahaziah and Jehoram (Joram) succeeded him in turn, while his daughter Athaliah later usurped the throne of Judah. The prophetic word against the “house of Ahab” (2 Kings 10:17) therefore includes not only the king himself but an extended dynasty that shaped Israel and Judah for a generation.

Religious and Moral Character

The inspired historian offers an unqualified evaluation: “Ahab son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him” (1 Kings 16:30). His twin innovations were state-sponsored Baal worship and the erection of an Asherah pole within Samaria (1 Kings 16:32-33). Spiritual syncretism, moral compromise, and political ruthlessness mark the entire record of his reign.

Political Alliances and Military Campaigns

Ahab fought three significant wars with Ben-Hadad of Aram (1 Kings 20; 22). Victories at Aphek and alliances with Jehoshaphat of Judah momentarily strengthened Israel, yet these gains never compensated for covenant disloyalty. Extrabiblical inscriptions (e.g., the Kurkh Monolith) corroborate a coalition including “Ahab the Israelite,” testifying to his military prominence in the region.

Confrontation with Elijah

The apostasy of Ahab provoked the ministry of Elijah the Tishbite. Announcing a drought (1 Kings 17:1), confronting the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), and denouncing Jezebel’s murderous designs, Elijah personifies the prophetic witness against royal idolatry. When Ahab greeted him with the epithet, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” (1 Kings 18:17), the prophet countered that the true troubler was the king who had abandoned the commandments of the LORD.

Naboth’s Vineyard and Divine Verdict

Ahab’s coveting of Naboth’s ancestral land (1 Kings 21) revealed the moral corrosion of his court. Through Jezebel’s manipulation, Naboth was executed on false charges. Elijah’s judgment was swift: “In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, there also dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!” (1 Kings 21:19). Strikingly, when Ahab tore his clothes, fasted, and walked subdued, the LORD delayed full judgment until the next generation (1 Kings 21:27-29), illustrating both divine justice and mercy.

Micaiah and the Battle of Ramoth Gilead

Before Ahab entered his final campaign, the prophet Micaiah warned, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd” (1 Kings 22:17). Rejecting the solitary voice of truth, Ahab disguised himself in battle, only to be struck by an arrow “between the joints of his armor” (1 Kings 22:34). The prophecy was fulfilled when “the dogs licked up his blood” at Samaria (1 Kings 22:38).

Death and Fulfillment of Prophecy

Ahab’s death ended his personal reign but inaugurated the unraveling of his lineage. Ahaziah and Jehoram, lacking covenant fidelity, perpetuated his sins (2 Kings 3:1-2). Eventually Jehu carried out the divine judgment, eradicating the entire house of Ahab (2 Kings 9–10).

Subsequent Fate of Ahab’s House

Athaliah, Ahab’s daughter, introduced Baal worship into Judah and massacred the royal heirs, only to be deposed by the priest Jehoiada (2 Kings 11). Thus the contagion of Ahab’s idolatry briefly crossed national boundaries but was contained by faithful covenant guardians.

Ahab in the Prophets and Writings

Prophetic literature treats Ahab as a paradigm of covenant infidelity. “The statutes of Omri have been kept, and all the practices of the house of Ahab” (Micah 6:16) serves as a sweeping indictment of social injustice and idolatry. His memory becomes a covenant lawsuit exhibit against later generations.

Other Bearers of the Name

Jeremiah 29:21–23 recounts “Ahab son of Kolaiah,” a false prophet among the exiles in Babylon who “committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives” and uttered lies in the LORD’s name. His execution by Nebuchadnezzar parallels the earlier destruction of the king with whom he shares the name, further warning against prophetic deceit.

Occurrences Summary

The name אַחְאָב appears approximately ninety-three times in the Old Testament. The overwhelming majority refer to the king of Israel; a handful designate his progeny or the false prophet in Jeremiah. Each occurrence contributes to a composite portrait of rebellion countered by the steadfast word of God.

Ministry Reflections and Pastoral Applications

• Leadership either guides a people toward covenant faithfulness or accelerates national decline.
• Syncretism often enters through seemingly advantageous alliances; vigilance is mandatory.
• Prophetic ministry must prize truth over popularity; solitary voices like Elijah and Micaiah may stand against multitudes.
• God’s judgments are certain yet tempered by mercy toward genuine humility, as seen in the temporary respite granted to Ahab.
• The legacy of sin outlives the sinner; therefore repentance must be accompanied by enduring obedience lest subsequent generations reap the harvest of unrighteousness.

Forms and Transliterations
אַחְאָ֑ב אַחְאָ֔ב אַחְאָ֕ב אַחְאָ֖ב אַחְאָ֗ב אַחְאָ֛ב אַחְאָ֜ב אַחְאָ֞ב אַחְאָ֣ב אַחְאָ֤ב אַחְאָ֥ב אַחְאָ֧ב אַחְאָ֨ב אַחְאָֽב׃ אַחְאָב֒ אַחְאָב֙ אחאב אחאב׃ וְאַחְאָ֣ב וּכְאֶחָ֔ב וּלְאַחְאָ֛ב ואחאב וכאחב ולאחאב כְאַחְאָ֔ב כאחאב לְאַחְאָ֔ב לְאַחְאָ֖ב לְאַחְאָ֛ב לְאַחְאָֽב׃ לְאַחְאָב֙ לאחאב לאחאב׃ ’aḥ’āḇ ’aḥ·’āḇ achAv cheachAv ḵə’aḥ’āḇ ḵə·’aḥ·’āḇ lə’aḥ’āḇ lə·’aḥ·’āḇ leachAv ū·ḵə·’e·ḥāḇ ū·lə·’aḥ·’āḇ ucheeChav ūḵə’eḥāḇ ūlə’aḥ’āḇ uleachAv veachAv wə’aḥ’āḇ wə·’aḥ·’āḇ
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Kings 16:28
HEB: בְּשֹׁמְר֑וֹן וַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְ אַחְאָ֥ב בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו׃
NAS: in Samaria; and Ahab his son
KJV: in Samaria: and Ahab his son
INT: Samaria became and Ahab his son his place

1 Kings 16:29
HEB: וְאַחְאָ֣ב בֶּן־ עָמְרִ֗י
NAS: Now Ahab the son of Omri
KJV: of Judah began Ahab the son
INT: now Ahab the son of Omri

1 Kings 16:29
HEB: יְהוּדָ֑ה וַ֠יִּמְלֹךְ אַחְאָ֨ב בֶּן־ עָמְרִ֤י
NAS: of Judah, and Ahab the son
KJV: over Israel: and Ahab the son
INT: of Judah king and Ahab the son of Omri

1 Kings 16:30
HEB: וַיַּ֨עַשׂ אַחְאָ֧ב בֶּן־ עָמְרִ֛י
NAS: Ahab the son of Omri
KJV: And Ahab the son of Omri
INT: did Ahab the son of Omri

1 Kings 16:33
HEB: וַיַּ֥עַשׂ אַחְאָ֖ב אֶת־ הָאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה
NAS: Ahab also made the Asherah.
KJV: And Ahab made a grove;
INT: made Ahab the Asherah more

1 Kings 16:33
HEB: הָאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה וַיּ֨וֹסֶף אַחְאָ֜ב לַעֲשׂ֗וֹת לְהַכְעִיס֙
NAS: the Asherah. Thus Ahab did
KJV: made a grove; and Ahab did more
INT: the Asherah more Ahab did to provoke

1 Kings 17:1
HEB: גִלְעָד֮ אֶל־ אַחְאָב֒ חַי־ יְהוָ֞ה
NAS: said to Ahab, As the LORD,
KJV: said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD
INT: of Gilead to Ahab lives as the LORD

1 Kings 18:1
HEB: הֵרָאֵ֣ה אֶל־ אַחְאָ֔ב וְאֶתְּנָ֥ה מָטָ֖ר
NAS: show yourself to Ahab, and I will send
KJV: shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send
INT: show to Ahab will send rain

1 Kings 18:2
HEB: לְהֵרָא֖וֹת אֶל־ אַחְאָ֑ב וְהָרָעָ֖ב חָזָ֥ק
NAS: to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine
KJV: to shew himself unto Ahab. And [there was] a sore
INT: to show to Ahab now the famine severe

1 Kings 18:3
HEB: וַיִּקְרָ֣א אַחְאָ֔ב אֶל־ עֹבַדְיָ֖הוּ
NAS: Ahab called Obadiah
KJV: And Ahab called Obadiah,
INT: called Ahab about Obadiah

1 Kings 18:5
HEB: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אַחְאָב֙ אֶל־ עֹ֣בַדְיָ֔הוּ
NAS: Then Ahab said to Obadiah,
KJV: And Ahab said unto Obadiah,
INT: said Ahab to Obadiah

1 Kings 18:6
HEB: לַֽעֲבָר־ בָּ֑הּ אַחְאָ֞ב הָלַ֨ךְ בְּדֶ֤רֶךְ
NAS: between them to survey it; Ahab went
KJV: between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went
INT: the land to survey Ahab went way

1 Kings 18:9
HEB: עַבְדְּךָ֛ בְּיַד־ אַחְאָ֖ב לַהֲמִיתֵֽנִי׃
NAS: into the hand of Ahab to put me to death?
KJV: into the hand of Ahab, to slay
INT: your servant the hand of Ahab to put

1 Kings 18:12
HEB: וּבָ֨אתִי לְהַגִּ֧יד לְאַחְאָ֛ב וְלֹ֥א יִֽמְצָאֲךָ֖
NAS: and tell Ahab and he cannot
KJV: and tell Ahab, and he cannot find
INT: come and tell Ahab cannot find

1 Kings 18:16
HEB: עֹבַדְיָ֛הוּ לִקְרַ֥את אַחְאָ֖ב וַיַּגֶּד־ ל֑וֹ
NAS: to meet Ahab and told
KJV: to meet Ahab, and told
INT: Obadiah to meet Ahab and told went

1 Kings 18:16
HEB: ל֑וֹ וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ אַחְאָ֖ב לִקְרַ֥את אֵלִיָּֽהוּ׃
NAS: and told him; and Ahab went
KJV: and told him: and Ahab went
INT: and told went and Ahab to meet Elijah

1 Kings 18:17
HEB: וַיְהִ֛י כִּרְא֥וֹת אַחְאָ֖ב אֶת־ אֵלִיָּ֑הוּ
NAS: When Ahab saw Elijah,
KJV: And it came to pass, when Ahab saw
INT: become saw Ahab Elijah said

1 Kings 18:17
HEB: אֵלִיָּ֑הוּ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אַחְאָב֙ אֵלָ֔יו הַאַתָּ֥ה
NAS: saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, Is this
KJV: Elijah, that Ahab said
INT: Elijah said Ahab about to him

1 Kings 18:20
HEB: וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח אַחְאָ֖ב בְּכָל־ בְּנֵ֣י
NAS: So Ahab sent [a message] among all
KJV: So Ahab sent unto all the children
INT: sent Ahab all the sons

1 Kings 18:41
HEB: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלִיָּ֙הוּ֙ לְאַחְאָ֔ב עֲלֵ֖ה אֱכֹ֣ל
NAS: Now Elijah said to Ahab, Go up, eat
KJV: said unto Ahab, Get thee up,
INT: said now Elijah to Ahab Go eat

1 Kings 18:42
HEB: וַיַּעֲלֶ֥ה אַחְאָ֖ב לֶאֱכֹ֣ל וְלִשְׁתּ֑וֹת
NAS: So Ahab went up to eat
KJV: So Ahab went up to eat
INT: went Ahab to eat and drink

1 Kings 18:44
HEB: אֱמֹ֤ר אֶל־ אַחְאָב֙ אֱסֹ֣ר וָרֵ֔ד
NAS: up, say to Ahab, Prepare
KJV: say unto Ahab, Prepare
INT: say to Ahab Prepare and go

1 Kings 18:45
HEB: גָּד֑וֹל וַיִּרְכַּ֥ב אַחְאָ֖ב וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ יִזְרְעֶֽאלָה׃
NAS: shower. And Ahab rode
KJV: rain. And Ahab rode,
INT: A heavy rode and Ahab and went to Jezreel

1 Kings 18:46
HEB: וַיָּ֙רָץ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י אַחְאָ֔ב עַד־ בֹּאֲכָ֖ה
NAS: and outran Ahab to Jezreel.
KJV: before Ahab to the entrance
INT: and ran before Ahab against to the entrance

1 Kings 19:1
HEB: וַיַּגֵּ֤ד אַחְאָב֙ לְאִיזֶ֔בֶל אֵ֛ת
NAS: Now Ahab told Jezebel
KJV: And Ahab told Jezebel
INT: told now Ahab Jezebel all

93 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 256
93 Occurrences


’aḥ·’āḇ — 81 Occ.
ḵə·’aḥ·’āḇ — 1 Occ.
lə·’aḥ·’āḇ — 8 Occ.
ū·ḵə·’e·ḥāḇ — 1 Occ.
ū·lə·’aḥ·’āḇ — 1 Occ.
wə·’aḥ·’āḇ — 1 Occ.

255
Top of Page
Top of Page