or prolonged אֲבִיָּהוּ ; from אָב and יָהּ; father (i.e. worshipper) of Jah; Abijah, the name of several Israelite men and two Israelitesses; Abiah, Abijah.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **ʼĂbîyâh**, represented by `{{H29}}`, is defined as "father (i.e. worshipper) of Jah." This term appears 25 times across 25 unique verses in the Bible, referring to several Israelite men and two Israelitesses.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The biblical narrative presents individuals named `{{H29}}` in various significant roles. One notable figure is a king of Judah, the son of Rehoboam ([[1 Chronicles 3:10]]; [[2 Chronicles 12:16]]). He reigned for three years in Jerusalem [[2 Chronicles 13:2]] and was also made chief ruler among his brethren [[2 Chronicles 11:22]]. This king **Abijah** led Judah into battle against Jeroboam and Israel, where he set his army in array with four hundred thousand chosen men against Jeroboam's eight hundred thousand chosen men [[2 Chronicles 13:3]]. God intervened in this conflict; the LORD `{{H3068}}` struck Jeroboam, and the men `{{H376}}` of Judah `{{H3063}}` gave a shout `{{H7321}}` as God `{{H430}}` smote `{{H5062}}` Jeroboam and all Israel `{{H3478}}` before `{{H6440}}` Abijah and Judah [[2 Chronicles 13:15]]. Abijah and his people slew `{{H5221}}` them with a great `{{H7227}}` slaughter `{{H4347}}`, resulting in five hundred thousand slain `{{H2491}}` men of Israel [[2 Chronicles 13:17]]. Abijah pursued `{{H7291}}` Jeroboam, taking cities `{{H5892}}` such as Bethel `{{H1008}}`, Jeshanah `{{H3466}}`, and Ephrain `{{H6085}}` [[2 Chronicles 13:19]]. Jeroboam `{{H3379}}` did not recover strength `{{H3581}}` in Abijah's days `{{H3117}}`, as the LORD `{{H3068}}` struck `{{H5062}}` him, and he died `{{H4191}}` [[2 Chronicles 13:20]]. Abijah himself waxed mighty `{{H2388}}`, married fourteen wives `{{H802}}`, and begat twenty-two sons `{{H1121}}` and sixteen daughters `{{H1323}}` [[2 Chronicles 13:21]]. He eventually slept `{{H7901}}` with his fathers `{{H1}}` and was buried `{{H6912}}` in the city `{{H5892}}` of David `{{H1732}}`, with his son `{{H1121}}` Asa `{{H609}}` reigning `{{H4427}}` in his stead [[2 Chronicles 14:1]]. The acts `{{H1697}}`, ways `{{H1870}}`, and sayings `{{H1697}}` of this Abijah are recorded in the story `{{H4097}}` of the prophet `{{H5030}}` Iddo `{{H5714}}` [[2 Chronicles 13:22]]. Another man named **Abijah** was a son `{{H1121}}` of Jeroboam `{{H3379}}` who fell sick `{{H2470}}` [[1 Kings 14:1]]. An Israelitess named **Abijah** was the mother `{{H517}}` of Hezekiah `{{H3169}}`, identified as the daughter `{{H1323}}` of Zechariah `{{H2148}}` [[2 Chronicles 29:1]]. Another **Abiah** was Hezron's `{{H2696}}` wife `{{H802}}`, who bore `{{H3205}}` him Ashur `{{H806}}`, the father `{{H1}}` of Tekoa `{{H8620}}` [[1 Chronicles 2:24]]. A son `{{H1121}}` of Samuel `{{H8050}}` was named **Abiah**, who, along with his firstborn `{{H1060}}` brother `{{H251}}` Joel `{{H3100}}`, served as a judge `{{H8199}}` in Beersheba `{{H884}}` ([[1 Samuel 8:2]]; [[1 Chronicles 6:28]], where he is listed after Vashni `{{H2059}}`). The name `{{H29}}` also appears in lists of priests and Levites ([[Nehemiah 10:7]]; 12:4, 17; [[1 Chronicles 7:8]]; 24:10).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words expand upon the concept of individuals named `{{H29}}` and their context:
* `{{H1}}` **ʼâb** (father): As the etymological root of `{{H29}}`, it directly connects to the name's meaning. It appears in contexts of lineage, such as Abijah sleeping with his fathers [[2 Chronicles 14:1]] and the covenant with fathers [[Deuteronomy 8:18]].
* `{{H1121}}` **bên** (son): This term is frequently associated with individuals named `{{H29}}`, as many are described as the "son" of someone (e.g., "Abijah the son of Jeroboam" [[1 Kings 14:1]]).
* `{{H1323}}` **bath** (daughter): This word appears in contexts describing the daughters of an Abijah [[2 Chronicles 13:21]] or an Abijah as a "daughter" of someone [[2 Chronicles 29:1]].
* `{{H517}}` **ʼêm** (mother): The mother of specific individuals named `{{H29}}` is mentioned directly ([[2 Chronicles 13:2]]; 29:1).
* `{{H3068}}` **Yᵉhôvâh** (Jehovah) and `{{H430}}` **ʼĕlôhîym** (God): These terms are central to the theological meaning of Abijah's name ("worshipper of Jah") and are present in narratives highlighting divine intervention in his life, such as "the LORD struck him" [[2 Chronicles 13:20]].
* `{{H4427}}` **mâlak** (to reign) and `{{H4428}}` **melek** (king): These terms directly describe the king Abijah's actions and status ([[2 Chronicles 13:2]]; 14:1).
* `{{H3063}}` **Yᵉhûwdâh** (Judah): The kingdom over which King Abijah reigned and fought for [[2 Chronicles 13:1]].
* `{{H3379}}` **Yârobʻâm** (Jeroboam): Abijah's primary adversary, featured prominently in battle narratives involving Abijah [[2 Chronicles 13:2-20]].
* `{{H3389}}` **Yᵉrûwshâlaim** (Jerusalem): The capital city where King Abijah reigned [[2 Chronicles 13:2]].
* `{{H1732}}` **Dâvid** (David): The patriarch whose city `{{H5892}}` Abijah was buried in [[2 Chronicles 14:1]].
* `{{H5030}}` **nâbîyʼ** (prophet): A prophet named Iddo `{{H5714}}` recorded the acts of Abijah [[2 Chronicles 13:22]].
* `{{H1060}}` **bᵉkôwr** (firstborn): Used to distinguish Abijah, the son of Samuel, as the second child after his firstborn brother Joel `{{H3100}}` [[1 Samuel 8:2]].
* `{{H884}}` **Bᵉʼêr Shebaʻ** (Beer-Sheba): The location where Samuel's sons, including an Abiah, served as judges [[1 Samuel 8:2]].
* `{{H251}}` **ʼâch** (brother): Abijah was appointed ruler "among his brethren" [[2 Chronicles 11:22]].
* `{{H4601}}` **Maʻăkâh** (Maachah): The mother of King Abijah ([[2 Chronicles 11:20]], 22).
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H29}}` is significant, particularly through the prominent figure of King Abijah of Judah.
* **Divine Sovereignty in Conflict:** The narrative of Abijah's battle against Jeroboam highlights God's `{{H430}}` direct intervention. Despite Jeroboam's numerical superiority, God smote `{{H5062}}` Israel and caused Judah to prevail, emphasizing that victory in battle belongs to the LORD `{{H3068}}` ([[2 Chronicles 13:15]], 20).
* **Worship and Covenant:** The meaning of the name itself, "worshipper of Jah," points to a foundational relationship with God `{{H430}}`. While not explicitly stated for all individuals named `{{H29}}`, for King Abijah, his actions were part of upholding God's `{{H430}}` covenant with David `{{H1732}}`.
* **Lineage and Succession:** The repeated mention of Abijah within various genealogies (e.g., [[1 Chronicles 3:10]]; 7:8) and in the succession of kings [[2 Chronicles 12:16]] underscores the importance of God's `{{H430}}` faithfulness to established lines, especially the Davidic `{{H1732}}` covenant.
* **Historical Record as Divine Commentary:** The explicit mention that Abijah's "acts `{{H1697}}`, and his ways `{{H1870}}`, and his sayings `{{H1697}}`, are written `{{H3789}}` in the story `{{H4097}}` of the prophet `{{H5030}}` Iddo `{{H5714}}`" [[2 Chronicles 13:22]] suggests a divinely inspired perspective on his reign, indicating that his life and leadership held theological lessons worthy of preservation.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H29}}` **ʼĂbîyâh** is a multi-faceted term representing several individuals, both men and women, with varied roles across Israelite history. From kingship and military leadership to familial lines and judicial service, the occurrences of `{{H29}}` illustrate themes of divine support in battle, the significance of lineage and succession, and the broader theological concept of "worshipping Jah." The detailed accounts of King Abijah, in particular, provide a narrative of how divine intervention and human leadership intertwine in the biblical record.
TRV