אַבְנֵר
𐤀𐤁𐤍𐤓
Avener
H74 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name designating an individual; Abner, a prominent Israelite military commander, specifically the cousin of Saul and commander of the army of Israel during Saul's reign. The meaning is based on Hebrew elements 'father' and 'lamp' (or 'light'), suggesting 'my father is a lamp' or 'the father is a lamp/luminary.' The term functions strictly as a personal name in the Hebrew Bible and does not function generically as a title, office, or descriptive noun.
Semantic Range
personal name; Abner the commander of Saul's army; occasional variant spelling with full form אֲבִינֵר; no generic or abstract uses
Root / Etymology
Formed from אָב ('av', 'father') + נֵר ('ner', 'lamp, light'). The name reflects the standard Israelite theophoric or symbolic construction: the first element denotes a familial (or occasionally divine) association, the second element is a term commonly used for symbolic meaning ('lamp' as a symbol of guidance or leadership). The root for 'father' is אב ('av'), core meaning 'father, ancestor'; for 'lamp, light' it is נר (ner), core meaning 'lamp, light source.'
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, Abner (אַבְנֵר) is introduced as the son of Ner, uncle to Saul, and the commander of Saul's army (e.g., 1 Samuel 14:50; 17:55; 2 Samuel 2:8). The second form, אֲבִינֵר (Avinêr), appears less frequently and reflects a common vowel variation for personal names. The element 'ner' (lamp) in personal names often connotes guidance, prominence, or the hope for enduring legacy (cf. the symbolic use of 'lamp' in 2 Samuel 21:17). Unlike later English usage of 'Abner' as a given name, in the biblical context it refers uniquely to this individual. In translation tradition, the name is typically transliterated, with later usage sometimes retroactively associating the name with broader cultural meanings (e.g., leadership, enlightenment), but such senses do not apply to the original context. The meaning is not related to ethnicity or geographic identity, and the name held primarily familial and functional resonance during the monarchic period.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or (fully) אֲבִינֵר ; from אָב and נִיר; father of light (i.e. enlightening); Abner, an Israelite; Abner.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
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אבנר (ʾ-b-n-r) — father, lamp, light
Word Forms
4 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H74-01 |
אַבְנֵ֖ר | avener | HNp |
Abner | Father-Lamp | 50 |
H74-04 |
וְ/אַבְנֵ֥ר | veavener | HC/Np |
and Abner | And Abner | 7 |
H74-03 |
לְ/אַבְנֵ֨ר | leavener | HR/Np |
to Abner | to Father-Lamp | 5 |
H74-02 |
אֲבִינֵ֔ר | aviner | HNp |
Abner | My Father is Lamp | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
63 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H74-02 |
1 Samuel 14:50 | אֲבִינֵ֔ר | aviner | HNp |
Abner | My Father is Lamp |
H74-01 |
1 Samuel 14:51 | אַבְנֵ֖ר | avener | HNp |
Abner | Father-Lamp |
H74-01 |
1 Samuel 17:55 | אַבְנֵר֙ | avener | HNp |
Abner | Father-Lamp |
H74-01 |
1 Samuel 17:55 | אַבְנֵ֑ר | avener-2 | HNp |
Abner | Father-Lamp |
H74-01 |
1 Samuel 17:55 | אַבְנֵ֔ר | avener-3 | HNp |
Abner | Father-Lamp |
H74-01 |
1 Samuel 17:57 | אַבְנֵ֔ר | avener | HNp |
Abner | Father-Lamp |
H74-01 |
1 Samuel 20:25 | אַבְנֵ֖ר | avener | HNp |
Abner | Father-Lamp |
H74-04 |
1 Samuel 26:5 | וְ/אַבְנֵ֥ר | veavener | HC/Np |
and Abner | And Abner |
H74-04 |
1 Samuel 26:7 | וְ/אַבְנֵ֣ר | veavener | HC/Np |
and Abner | And Abner |
H74-01 |
1 Samuel 26:14 | אַבְנֵ֤ר | avener | HNp |
Abner | Father-Lamp |