|
The Hebrew word אֲבִי (Abi), identified as Strong's H21, has two main meanings in the biblical context:
From H1; paternal; Abi, mother of Hezekiah: - Abi.
As a proper name: "Abi" appears as the name of a specific woman in the Bible. It is mentioned in 2 Kings 18:2 as the name of the mother of King Hezekiah, one of the most righteous kings of Judah: "Abi, daughter of Zechariah" (in some translations it appears as "Abijah"). She was the wife of King Ahaz and mother of King Hezekiah.
As a construct: In Hebrew, אֲבִי (Abi) can also be the construct form (construct state) of the word אָב (av), meaning "father." In this form, it frequently appears as part of compound names meaning "father of" or "my father is." Significance in the biblical context:
As the mother of King Hezekiah, Abi has historical significance in the narrative of the kings of Judah. Hezekiah was a reforming king who reestablished the proper worship of Yahweh and destroyed pagan places of worship. The mention of his mother, following the tradition of recording the names of the mothers of the kings of Judah, suggests the importance of maternal influence.
The name has a positive connotation considering that her son became one of the most faithful kings to God in the history of Judah, which could indicate his own faithfulness and good instruction.
From a linguistic perspective, this name illustrates the importance of the concept of "father" in Hebrew culture, even when applied to female names, emphasizing the centrality of family relationships in Israelite society. The mention of Abi is brief but significant in the context of the narrative of the history of the kings of Judah and the religious reforms implemented by his son Hezekiah. |
