Abiathar
/əˈbaɪəθər/
noun
Origin
Hebrew
אב + יתר — father of abundance
Overview
Meaning Now
- A proper name of Hebrew origin, borne by a high priest in the Old Testament who served King David.
Literal older meaning
father of abundance or father of excellence
Language path
Hebrew → Greek → Latin → English
Earliest form
אֶבְיָתָר
Earliest period
10th century BCE
Journey
Abiathar was the son of Ahimelech and the high priest during the reign of King David. He famously escaped the massacre of the priests at Nob by King Saul and remained a loyal advisor to David throughout his turbulent reign, until he supported Adonijah against Solomon, leading to his eventual removal from office.
Evolution
- Biblical Hebrew
אֶבְיָתָר (Ebyāṯār)
“father of abundance”
Original Hebrew name.
- Koine Greek
Ἀβιάθαρ (Abiathar)
“Transliteration into Greek Septuagint.”
- Latin
Abiathar
“Transliteration into the Vulgate.”
- Middle English
Abiathar
“Adoption into English via biblical translation.”
Connections
Word parts
Abi
root
father
athar
root
abundance/surplus
Related across languages
Greek
Ἀβιάθαρ
Abiathar
Hebrew
אֶבְיָתָר
Abiathar
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.