Ahlai
אַחְלַי/AH-lay/
“O would that! (An exclamation) or ornamental”
Summary
A name borne by two individuals in the Old Testament: a daughter of Sheshan and the father of one of David's mighty men.
☩Daughter of Sheshan
Ahlai was the daughter and apparently only child of Sheshan, a descendant of Judah. Since Sheshan had no sons, he gave Ahlai in marriage to his Egyptian servant Jarha, by whom she had Attai. This lineage continued through several generations, eventually producing Zabad, one of David's mighty men, and Azariah, one of the captains of hundreds during the reign of Joash.
Key verses:1 Chronicles 2:311 Chronicles 2:34-35
☩Father of Zabad
A second person named Ahlai was the father of Zabad, who served as one of David's elite warriors in his personal guard. This Ahlai appears to be male, in contrast to Sheshan's daughter.
Key verses:1 Chronicles 11:41
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ahlai," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Ahlai," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Ahlai," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).