Boy Old Testament Rare
Ahlai
beseeching; sorrowing; expecting
אַחְלָ֑י ach.lay
Ahlai (Hebrew: אַחְלָ֑י, ach.lay) means “beseeching; sorrowing; expecting”, by traditional interpretation. Two people in scripture bear the name; the best attested belongs to the Divided Kingdom period. In 2024 it was given to 5 children in the United States. Use is falling away. Appears with Appaim in 1 Chronicles 2.
Which Ahlai?
Two men in scripture bear this name. Here is each of them.
-
Ahlai
father of Zabad
-
Ahlai
daughter of Sheshan
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 2 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 2 distinct people in scripture
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Divided Kingdom
Using it today
Based on 2024 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2024 | 5 | Falling |
| All-time total | 37 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 8 in 2023 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Chronicles 2:31 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 11:41 |
| Cross-references | 8 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Jarha attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Sheshan.
- Ishi co-occurrence Appears with Ishi in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Zabad co-occurrence Appears with Zabad in 1 Chronicles 11.
- Appaim co-occurrence Appears with Appaim in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Sheshan co-occurrence Appears with Sheshan in 1 Chronicles 2.
- Uriah co-occurrence Appears with Uriah in 1 Chronicles 11.
- Heth co-occurrence Appears with Heth in 1 Chronicles 11.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at 1Ch.11.41;
father of: Zabad (H2066I)
§ Ahlai = "O! would that!"
1) daughter of Sheshan
2) father of one of David's heroes (mighty men, warriors)
Ahlai was the father of Zabad, who was one of David's mighty men.
The biblical story
Ahlai is mentioned in the context of his son Zabad, who was one of the mighty men of King David. The mighty men were a group of skilled warriors who fought alongside David and played a significant role in establishing and defending his kingdom. (1Ch.11.10-47)
Zabad, the son of Ahlai, is listed among these mighty men, indicating his prowess in battle and his loyalty to King David. (1Ch.11.41) However, no specific details about Zabad's exploits or his role in David's army are provided in the biblical text.
Similarly, no further information is given about Ahlai himself, apart from being identified as Zabad's father. His mention in this context serves to provide a genealogical reference for Zabad and to highlight the family's connection to David's elite group of warriors.
The inclusion of Zabad in the list of mighty men suggests that he and, by extension, his father Ahlai were part of the tribe of Judah, as many of David's loyal supporters came from his own tribe. However, the biblical text does not explicitly state their tribal affiliation.
Key verses
Ahlai appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
-
Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,
1 Chronicles 11:41
Show all 1 reference
1 Chronicles (1)
- 1 Chronicles 11:41