Abimael
אֲבִימָאֵל/uh-BIM-ay-el/
“My father is God, or God is father”
Summary
A son of Joktan and descendant of Shem, traditionally regarded as the ancestor of an Arabian tribe.
☩Biblical Record
Abimael was one of the thirteen sons of Joktan, who was a descendant of Shem through Eber. Like the other names in this genealogy, Abimael represents a south Arabian people group. The name is linguistically south Arabian in form, reflecting the settlement patterns of Joktan's descendants in that region.
Key verses:Genesis 10:281 Chronicles 1:22
☩Arabian Connection
Abimael was probably the founder of an Arabian tribe. Some scholars have attempted to trace the name in ancient geographical references, with Bochart suggesting a connection to a spice-bearing region called Mali mentioned by the Greek writer Theophrastus.
Key verses:Genesis 10:25-29
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Abimael," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Abimael," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).