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אֲבִי־עַלְבוֹן

𐤀𐤁𐤉־𐤏𐤋𐤁𐤅𐤍

Avi Alevon

H45 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אב (for the first element); עלב or uncertain (second element) to be a father, act as a father (for אב); second element: uncertain, possibly strength or valor

Definition

A personal name meaning 'my father is strength' or 'my father is valor.' The term functions exclusively as a proper noun designating an Israelite individual noted in historical genealogies. The components of the name express a relationship (possessive or attributive) with 'father' (as a figure of authority or ancestry) and the concept of might or valor.

Semantic Range

personal name, referring to an individual Israelite; 'my father is strength,' 'my father is valor'; second element used only in this context, not as a common noun or verb

Root / Etymology

Composed of אָב ('father') and a second element עַלְבוֹן, likely from a root עַלְבּ or עַלְבָּן, of uncertain origin. The first part, אָב, is a common root in Hebrew meaning 'father.' The etymology of the second part is uncertain, possibly related to the concept of strength, valor, or might, but the specific root is unattested elsewhere in Biblical Hebrew. Thus, the full name may be interpreted as 'my father is valor/strength.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The name אֲבִי־עַלְבוֹן appears in 2 Samuel 23:31 and 1 Chronicles 11:32, listing elite warriors supporting King David. The construction is consistent with other compound theophoric and familial names in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., אֲבִי־יָהוּ [Abijah] 'my father is Yahu'). The second element, עַלְבוֹן, is not found elsewhere in the biblical corpus; thus, its meaning is inferred by comparison with similar forms and contextual usage, and ancient translations (such as the Septuagint) transliterate rather than translate. See also the personal name אֲבִיעֵזֶר (Abiezer), which utilizes a similar possessive pattern. English translations often simply transliterate the name, leaving its meaning opaque.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from אָב and an unused root of uncertain derivation; probably, father of strength (i.e. valiant); Abialbon, an Israelite; Abialbon.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אב; עלב (uncertain) (ʾ-b; ʿ-l-b (uncertain)) — fatherhood, paternal authority; strength, valor, might (uncertain second element)

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H45-01 עַלְבוֹן֙ alevon HNp Albon My-Father-is-Strength 1
H45-02 אֲבִֽי avi HNp Abi my father 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H45-02 2 Samuel 23:31 אֲבִֽי avi HNp Abi my father
H45-01 2 Samuel 23:31 עַלְבוֹן֙ alevon HNp Albon My-Father-is-Strength
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