Boy Old Testament Known
Abiel
God my father
אֲבִיאֵל a.vi.el
Abiel (Hebrew: אֲבִיאֵל, a.vi.el) means “God my father”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 6 verses across 2 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 97 children in the United States. Use is rising. Around 1,645 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Abinadab in 1 Chronicles 9.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Abiel
father of Kish; father of Zecher; father of Abdon
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 6 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 97 | Rising |
| All-time total | 1,645 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 119 in 2024 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Samuel 9:1 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 9:39 |
| Cross-references | 52 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Maacah co-occurrence Appears with Maacah in 1 Chronicles 8.
- Aphiah co-occurrence Appears with Aphiah in 1 Samuel 9.
- Becorath co-occurrence Appears with Becorath in 1 Samuel 9.
- Zeror co-occurrence Appears with Zeror in 1 Samuel 9.
- Kish co-occurrence Appears with Kish in 1 Chronicles 9.
- Ishvi co-occurrence Appears with Ishvi in 1 Chronicles 9.
- Abinadab co-occurrence Appears with Abinadab in 1 Chronicles 9.
- Malchi-shua co-occurrence Appears with Malchi-shua in 1 Chronicles 9.
Origin & meaning
Abiel = "El (God) is (my) father"
Saul's grandfather, a man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.9.1;
son of: Zeror (H6872C); married to Maacah (H4601N);
father of: Kish (H7027), Ner (H5369), Abdon (H5658J), Zur (H6698I), Baal (H1168B), Nadab (H5070J), Gedor (H1446I), Ahio (H0283I), Zecher (H2144) and Mikloth (H4732); also called Jeiel (Ketiv: Jeuel; KJV: Jehiel) at 1Ch.9.35; Ner at 1Ch.8.33; 9.39;
Abiel, also known as Jeiel, Ner, or Abigibeon (or '[re]-founder of Gibeon'), was the father of Kish and grandfather of King Saul.
The biblical story
Abiel, also referred to as Jeiel, Ner, or Abigibeon (or '[re]-founder of Gibeon'), was a Benjaminite and the father of Kish, who was the father of King Saul, Israel's first king. In 1Sa.9.1, Abiel is mentioned as the father of Kish and is described as a mighty man of power. The genealogies in 1 Chronicles 8 and 9 provide additional information about Abiel's family.
In 1Ch.8.33 and 1Ch.9.39, he is called Ner, while in 1Ch.8.29 and 1Ch.9.35, he is referred to as Jeiel and Abigibeon or '[re]-founder of Gibeon'. These variations in names suggest that he may have been known by multiple names or that there might have been some discrepancies in the genealogical records. Abiel's son Kish became the father of Saul, who was anointed as the first king of Israel by the prophet Samuel.
Key verses
Abiel appears in 6 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
1 Samuel 9:1 -
And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
1 Samuel 14:51 -
And at Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon; whose wife’s name was Maachah:
1 Chronicles 8:29 -
And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchi–shua, and Abinadab, and Esh–baal.
1 Chronicles 8:33 -
And in Gibeon dwelt the father of Gibeon, Jehiel, whose wife’s name was Maachah:
1 Chronicles 9:35
Show all 6 references
1 Samuel (2)
- 1 Samuel 9:1
- 1 Samuel 14:51
1 Chronicles (4)
- 1 Chronicles 8:29
- 1 Chronicles 8:33
- 1 Chronicles 9:35
- 1 Chronicles 9:39