אוֹבִיל
𐤀𐤅𐤁𐤉𐤋
Ovil
H179 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Obil, a personal name of an Ishmaelite individual identified in the administrative lists of King David's officials, likely denoting 'one who is strong' or 'powerful' rather than carrying a meaning of 'mournful.' The term functions exclusively as a proper name and does not appear as a common noun or adjective in the Hebrew Bible.
Semantic Range
personal name (male), proper noun; name of an Ishmaelite overseer in David's administration
Root / Etymology
The etymology is uncertain. While Strong's suggested derivation from אָבַל ('to mourn') is possible, the pattern or name-formation and contextual evidence do not directly support this. Alternatively, some connect the name to a root related to strength or power, perhaps by association with cognate Semitic languages or onomastic parallels, though this too is not definitive. Thus, the etymology remains uncertain.
Historical & Contextual Notes
אוֹבִיל (Obil) appears solely in 1 Chronicles 27:30 as the overseer of camels in the administrative organization of King David's realm, described as an Ishmaelite. The name's meaning is uncertain and does not directly correspond to known common nouns or adjectives in Biblical Hebrew. The designation as an 'Ishmaelite' situates Obil outside the Israelite ethnos, indicating the usage of non-Israelite officials in royal service. The suggestion that the name means 'mournful' is based on a possible (though unattested) link with the Hebrew root אָבַל, but the absence of supporting context or similar formations makes this connection tenuous. The name Obil does not serve as an ethnic, religious, or geographic identifier beyond its personal, proper noun use. Later tradition simply retains the name without ascribing additional meaning or religious significance. Standard English translations transliterate the name directly without attempting a translation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
probably from אָבַל; mournful; Obil, an Ishmaelite; Obil.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
uncertain (uncertain) — uncertain; possibly strength, power
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1085 | בִּלְדַּד | Bildad |
| H1095 | בֵּלְטְשַׁאצַּר | Belteshatsar |
| H1114 | בִּלְשָׁן | Bilshan |
| H1150 | בִּנְעָא | Bin'a |
| H116 | אֱדַיִן | and then |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H179-01 |
אוֹבִ֖יל | ovil | HNp |
Obil | Obil | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H179-01 |
1 Chronicles 27:30 | אוֹבִ֖יל | ovil | HNp |
Obil | Obil |