Boy Old Testament Very common
Abner
father of light
אֲבִינֵר av.ner
Abner (Hebrew: אֲבִינֵר, av.ner) means “father of light”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 53 verses across 4 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 274 children in the United States, ranking 874. Use is rising. Around 9,454 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears with Ahimaaz in 1 Samuel 14.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
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Abner
son of Ner; son of Saul; father of Jaasiel
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 53 across 4 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 | 274 | Rising |
| All-time total | 9,454 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 293 in 2024 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Samuel 14:50 |
| Last appears | 1 Chronicles 27:21 |
| Cross-references | 505 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Ish-bosheth attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Saul.
- Armoni attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Saul.
- Rimmon attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Saul.
- Mephibosheth attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Saul.
- Ner co-occurrence Appears with Ner in 2 Samuel 3.
- Asahel co-occurrence Appears with Asahel in 2 Samuel 2.
- Ish-bosheth co-occurrence Appears with Ish-bosheth in 2 Samuel 3.
- Joab co-occurrence Appears with Joab in 2 Samuel 3.
Origin & meaning
A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.14.50;
son of: Ner (H5369);
father of: Jaasiel (H3300H)
§ Abner = "my father is a lamp"
Saul's cousin and army captain, treacherously slain by Joab
Abner, the son of Ner, was King Saul's cousin and the commander of his army; he later supported Saul's son Ish-bosheth as king before defecting to David.
The biblical story
Abner was the son of Ner and the cousin of King Saul, Israel's first monarch. He served as the commander of Saul's army (1Sa.14.50-51). Abner was a prominent figure during Saul's reign and demonstrated his loyalty to the king, as seen in his interactions with David (1Sa.17.55-57; 20.25; 26.5-15).
After Saul's death, Abner supported Saul's son Ish-bosheth as king over Israel, while David reigned over Judah (2Sa.2.8-10). During this time, there was a long war between the houses of Saul and David (2Sa.3.1). Abner led Ish-bosheth's forces against David's army, commanded by Joab (2Sa.2.12-17). In a battle at Gibeon, Abner killed Joab's brother Asahel, who had pursued him (2Sa.2.18-23).
Later, Abner defected to David after a dispute with Ish-bosheth (2Sa.3.6-21). He worked to transfer the kingdom to David and made an agreement with him (2Sa.3.12-21). However, Joab, seeking revenge for his brother's death, murdered Abner (2Sa.3.22-27). David mourned Abner's death and declared his innocence in the matter (2Sa.3.28-39).
Abner's defection and death weakened Ish-bosheth's position, and he was eventually assassinated (2Sa.4.1-8). This paved the way for David to become king over all Israel (2Sa.5.1-5). David later reminded Solomon of Joab's actions against Abner (1Ki.2.5, 32). Abner is also mentioned in connection with the treasures dedicated to the Lord (1Ch.26.28) and as the father of Jaasiel, a leader in David's army (1Ch.27.21).
Key verses
Abner appears in 53 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And the name of Saul’s wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul’s uncle.
1 Samuel 14:50 -
And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel.
1 Samuel 14:51 -
And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner, the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.
1 Samuel 17:55 -
And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.
1 Samuel 17:57 -
And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and David’s place was empty.
1 Samuel 20:25
Show all 53 references
1 Samuel (9)
- 1 Samuel 14:50
- 1 Samuel 14:51
- 1 Samuel 17:55
- 1 Samuel 17:57
- 1 Samuel 20:25
- 1 Samuel 26:5
- 1 Samuel 26:7
- 1 Samuel 26:14
- 1 Samuel 26:15
2 Samuel (40)
- 2 Samuel 2:8
- 2 Samuel 2:12
- 2 Samuel 2:14
- 2 Samuel 2:17
- 2 Samuel 2:19
- 2 Samuel 2:20
- 2 Samuel 2:21
- 2 Samuel 2:22
- 2 Samuel 2:23
- 2 Samuel 2:24
- 2 Samuel 2:25
- 2 Samuel 2:26
- 2 Samuel 2:29
- 2 Samuel 2:30
- 2 Samuel 2:31
- 2 Samuel 3:6
- 2 Samuel 3:7
- 2 Samuel 3:8
- 2 Samuel 3:9
- 2 Samuel 3:11
- 2 Samuel 3:12
- 2 Samuel 3:16
- 2 Samuel 3:17
- 2 Samuel 3:19
- 2 Samuel 3:20
- 2 Samuel 3:21
- 2 Samuel 3:22
- 2 Samuel 3:23
- 2 Samuel 3:24
- 2 Samuel 3:25
- 2 Samuel 3:26
- 2 Samuel 3:27
- 2 Samuel 3:28
- 2 Samuel 3:30
- 2 Samuel 3:31
- 2 Samuel 3:32
- 2 Samuel 3:33
- 2 Samuel 3:37
- 2 Samuel 4:1
- 2 Samuel 4:12
1 Kings (2)
- 1 Kings 2:5
- 1 Kings 2:32
1 Chronicles (2)
- 1 Chronicles 26:28
- 1 Chronicles 27:21